Patrolman Fontillas Defends Police Sacrifices in an Open Letter
PATROLMAN FRANCIS STEVE FONTILLAS – The viral vlogger and known supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte recently released an open letter titled “OPEN LETTER TO EVERYONE.” In this heartfelt message, he shared the struggles of being a police officer and expressed his frustrations over the public’s negative perception of law enforcers.
Fontillas detailed the demanding nature of police work, emphasizing their 24-hour duty shifts—12 hours of active duty and another 12 hours on call. He highlighted the sacrifices officers make, including missing important family events such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays, just to fulfill their sworn duty of maintaining peace and order.
Despite these sacrifices, he lamented that a single officer’s wrongdoing often leads to the condemnation of the entire police force. “Isang pulis lang ang nagloko, pero idinamay niyo na kaming lahat. Hindi man lang namin maipagtanggol ang sarili namin dahil hinusgahan niyo na agad kami dahil sa kasalanan ng iilan,” he wrote. Fontillas also refuted common stereotypes about police officers, such as being unfaithful or corrupt, calling them unfair and hurtful.
Beyond seeking public empathy, Fontillas’ letter followed a controversy surrounding his social media posts. He had strongly opposed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) move to arrest Duterte, which led to charges of inciting to sedition against him. As a result, he reported to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and issued a formal apology for his statements, acknowledging that some of his words may have gone too far.
Despite his apology, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) confirmed that the criminal and administrative cases against Fontillas would proceed. The agency emphasized that his fitness to continue serving as a police officer was now under review.
Fontillas concluded his letter with an appeal for respect and understanding. “Oo pulis kami pero tao rin kaming may puso’t damdamin, nasasaktan din kami. Gaya niyo, kailangan din namin ng konting pag-intindi sa tuwing nagkukulang kami,” he wrote.
Now, as he faces legal consequences, Fontillas hopes his message will spark a more balanced perspective on the sacrifices and challenges that come with serving in law enforcement.
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