Quezon City: A cop who was dismissed for criticizing top police officials over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Quezon City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives nabbed Francis Steve Fontillas on Monday in Commonwealth, Quezon City based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for inciting to sedition. The court recommended bail of PHP36,000 for temporary liberty of Fontillas, who is also a vlogger.

The case stemmed from a criminal complaint filed against Fontillas for posting seditious remarks of toppling the government and threatening the International Criminal Police Organization while wearing PNP uniform. PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III commented on the arrest, stating in a media interview, "Well, may warrant siya eh (he has warrant of arrest). So, the warrant has to be implemented."

Torre emphasized that Fontillas is an isolated case within the police organization. "Well, I would like to think that Fontillas is just a very, very small exception-an aberration to the organization," he said.

On May 8, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) dismissed Fontillas for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and disloyalty to the government. The commission also perpetually disqualified Fontillas from returning to public service.