Vlogger cop to be placed under restrictive custody

MANILA, Philippines — Controversial vlogger Pat. Francis Steve Fontillas reported for duty at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday and apologized for his online tirades, an official of the National Police Commission said yesterday.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Fontillas was “crying and extremely apologetic” when he faced QCPD director Col. Melecio Buslig Jr. at around 11 a.m.

“Fontillas also promised not to post seditious comments and hate speech on his social media pages,” Calinisan said in a statement.

The QCPD, in a separate statement, said Fontillas assured his superiors that he has learned from his experience and promised not to repeat such behavior.

Calinisan said Fontillas would be placed under restrictive custody for his actions.

However, Fontillas was at it again yesterday as he disputed Calinisan’s statement, which was reported by news outfits. He branded as fake news the report that he cried because he was sorry for his tirades.

“Hindi po ako umiyak dahil apologetic ako sa ginawa ko. Pinaninindigan ko nga eh kaya hinarap ko silang lahat (I didn’t cry because I was apologetic for what I did. I stand by it. That is why I faced them),” he said in a Facebook post.

Fontillas added: “Napaiyak lang ako dahil naging emotional ako nung nilabas ko ’yung himutok at saloobin ko (I cried only because I became emotional when I expressed what I felt).”

According to Fontillas, he is also looking for a lawyer as he intends to file cyberlibel cases against 10 television networks and ask for a P1.5-million fine from each for allegedly spreading false information about him.

He went ballistic on social media after news organizations reported that he went AWOL or absent without official leave, saying that he filed an application for leave at the QCPD.

News outfits got the information that Fontillas was on AWOL from Buslig during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Fontillas became viral on social media after he lambasted President Marcos and ranking officials of the Philippine National Police for the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte last week.

Calinisan said while Fontillas promised to respond to the criminal and administrative cases filed against him, the policeman has yet to file a response or a pleading as of yesterday.

“As far as the administrative cases filed in Napolcom is concerned, we will resolve it with judicious dispatch as his fitness to remain in the police service is what is at stake,” Calinisan said.

As part of the requirements for him to return to active duty, Fontillas underwent a medical check-up and neuro-psychiatric examination yesterday.

‘Tighten PNP recruitment’

Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V urged the PNP to strengthen its recruitment process amid the fury shown in Fontillas’ vlogs.

“I saw a portion of his video, the vlog. I guess something is troubling this guy. I mean it’s beyond his passion of vlogging. I think something is not right (in) his choice of words… Something is troubling. I hope he finds the help that he needs,” Adiong said.

Ortega said the PNP, Napolcom, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and similar agencies should consider not only the physical fitness of recruits but their mental health as well.