Police officers and soldiers in Davao were reminded to remain non-partisan after a policeman in Quezon City was charged for his viral social media posts about the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a report by GMA News Online, the police officer who went viral online is now facing an inciting to sedition complaint.

The policeman was identified as Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed the inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 complaint against Fontillas with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“This development follows Fontillas’ unauthorized and politically charged social media posts in response to reports of former President's arrest,” the PNP said.

In a post on his Facebook account, Fontillas questioned the complaint filed against him saying he only expressed his stand.

"Ïnciting to sedition daw 'ýung ginawa ko? Hahaha. Okay lang ba kayo? I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where's our right to freedom of expression now? Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas. Hahaha," he said.

He also posted a copy of his application for leave, saying that on March 5 he filed a leave for 10 days, March 6 to 19, which was approved and signed by their chief administrator.

In Mindanao, the Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) reminded all personnel to remain apolitical and non-partisan.

“As a professional police officer, as implementor pag mag-violate ka sa batas mag-face ka talaga ng consequences. Sa kapulisan, lalo na ngayon mainit sa pulitika, we remain apolitical and professional… we are here to serve and protect,” PRO-11 Spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, said.

So far, no police officer in the region has been called out for engaging in partisan politics.

The 10th Infantry Division (10ID) also echoed the reminder to its soldiers.

“The 10ID even the whole AFP remains non-partisan. Actually, it’s been stated in Paragraph 3 Section 5 of the Art. XVI 1987 Constitution we are not subject to any (political) engagement directly or indirectly,” 10ID Spokesperson, Major Ruben Gadut, said.

(With reports from GMA News Online)