MANILA — Authorities arrested retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) major general Romeo Poquiz at the airport upon his return from abroad, thrusting into the spotlight an inciting-to-sedition case tied to a November rally that security officials say crossed the line from dissent to destabilization.
Poquiz was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 shortly after he arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, police said.
Investigators said the case stems from a rally held in November at the People Power Monument, organized by a group led by Poquiz.
During the gathering, police alleged that Poquiz urged members of the Armed Forces to oppose the government.
Poquiz’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, assailed the arrest, claiming authorities initially blocked the defense from meeting their client.
“Totally atrocious! We were barred from conferring with our client. Sobrang garapal naman!” Topacio said in a statement.
Earlier, AFP chief of staff Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed that he and other senior military officials had previously met with a group of retired officers led by Poquiz, who has been an outspoken critic of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. Brawner said the group raised concerns largely centered on alleged corruption in government.
Separately, the Armed Forces said it is probing what it described as “unusual” funding sources behind the November rally, including possible foreign backing — an allegation the organizers have denied.
The Partido Demokratikong Pilipino – Laban (PDP-Laban), where Topacio serves as deputy spokesperson, condemned Poquiz’s arrest, calling it an attempt to silence critics of the government. In a statement, the party said Poquiz merely voiced public frustration over alleged corruption in the executive and legislative branches.
PDP-Laban expressed support for Poquiz and urged the public to defend freedom of expression, warning against what it described as intimidation of critics of the Marcos administration./PN
