By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – A police officer facing multiple charges for his social media posts in connection with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte will now undergo a neuropsychiatric exam, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Pat. Francis Steve Fontillas is facing administrative complaints, including grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, aside from a criminal case for inciting to sedition filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
“Magsasailalim siya sa neuropsychiatric examination para i-check din at i-examine kung ano ba yung kanyang kasalukuyang mental status (He will undergo a neuropsychiatric examination to check and examine his current mental status,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a virtual press conference.
Fontillas had been making posts on social media threatening the government, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and the ICC following Duterte’s arrest on March 11.
Aside from his controversial remarks online, Fajardo said Fontillas was absent without official leave (AWOL) from March 6 to 19.
He reported for duty at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on March 20 and was put under restrictive custody.
The police officer has a history of disturbing behavior, which includes having a short temper and mood swings, and underwent medication in 2023.
“Hahayaan muna natin yung evaluation at assessment na gagawin ng PNP Health Service to determine kung ito bang police na ito ay mentally fit pa to continue his police service (We will first allow the evaluation and assessment to be conducted by the PNP Health Service to determine whether this police officer is still mentally fit to continue his police service),” Fajardo said. (PNA)
