Retired general Poquiz arrested for sedition

An arrest warrant was served against United People's Initiative (UPI) convenor and retired major general Romeo Poquiz at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Monday.

Poquiz arrived at the airport from a vacation in Bangkok, Thailand, according to a report of Super Radyo dzbB’s Sam Nielsen.

“Dumating 'yung eroplano natin coming from Thailand is 8:11 a.m., 8.30 a.m. 'yung expected natin na dating niya, kaso napaaga 'yung dating ng eroplano,” Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) chief Police Colonel John Guiagui told reporters.

(The plane coming from Thailand arrived at 8:11 a.m., 8.30 a.m. was the expected time, but the plane arrived early.)

“Binasahan natin siya ng Miranda Rights niya. Pinaalam natin 'yung warrant of arrest for inciting to sedition, which was ang nagbigay nito is 'yung sa Quezon City Regional Trial Court 77,” he added.

(We read him his Miranda Rights. We informed him of the warrant of arrest for inciting to sedition, which was issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court 77.)

The arrest warrant served by the police against Poquiz is in connection with the sedition case filed against him.

FLASH REPORT: Retired General Romeo Poquiz ng United People’s Initiative (UPI), nasilbihan na ng warrant of arrest sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sa kasong inciting to sedition at rebellion. | via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/QgvDl8uSyU

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 5, 2026

This is following his participation in the protest at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on November 16 and 17, according to the radio report.

“Panggigipit ito, pangha-harass, pananakot sa ating mga mamamayang nagpapahayag ng damdamin sa matinding korapsyon sa bayan natin,” Poquiz said right after his arrest.

(This is harassment and intimidation of our citizens who are expressing their feelings about the rampant corruption in our country.)

“Inaresto ako dahil may kaso akong inciting to sedition so hinaharap natin itong kasong ito,” he added.

(I was arrested because I have a case of inciting to sedition, so I am facing this case.)

Bail

Based on the arrest warrant shared by his legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, around P48,000 bail was recommended for the sedition case. 

Poquiz was brought to Camp Crame for processing. And then he was brought to Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 where he posted bail.

“Ngayon nagkaroon na ako ng release order sa judge,” Poquiz said.

Poquiz denied that he made seditious statements against the government.

“Hindi namin ginagawa yun sa gobyerno. Kami lamang ay nagpapahayag ng damdamin, matinding poot at galit ng mga tao na tulad ninyo na nararamdaman natin ang paglapastangan ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan natin, binoto natin na pagsilbihan tayo pero sa halip tayo ay winalang-hiya,’ he said.

(We are not doing that to the government. We are just expressing the feelings, the intense hatred and anger of people like you who feel betrayed by the people we trusted, we voted to serve but instead we were betrayed.)

“Ninakaw nila yung pera ng taumbayan. Yung ang gusto nating mapanagot, mabigyan ng hustisya,” he added.

(They stole the people’s money. We want them to be held accountable, to have justice.)

Topacio lamented that the police allegedly violated the rights of his client saying that authorities supposedly did not allow the lawyers to talk to the ex-general during the arrest.

“So, we will make the people responsible to be held to account. For the violation of the rights of our client,” he said.

According to the lawyers, they are considering filing administrative and criminal charges against the arresting officers.

However, Guiagui said the lawyers came late as the airplane carrying Poquiz arrived earlier than expected.

“Unang-una is sila 'yung wala sa area. Late na sila dumating. Actually, ako nga kanina doon sa liaison officer ni General Poquiz is hinahanap ko 'yung abogado kaso they are not around during that time,” Guiagui said.

(First of all, they are the ones who were not in the area. They arrived late. Actually, I asked General Poquiz's liaison officer for his lawyer because they are not around during that time.)

“At kami, andyan na 'yung eroplano, dumating na 'yung si General Poquiz, we have to go up para i-serve 'yung warrant,” he added.

(The plane is already there, General Poquiz has arrived, we had to go up to serve the warrant.)

Topacio said the arrest of Poquiz is a scare tactic of the administration.

“Ito po ay talagang very obvious na tinatakot po ng administrasyon na ito ang kanyang mga kritiko. Ito po ay ginawang sampol si General Poquiz na kapag ikaw ay nagsalita laban sa gobyernong ito, ito ang sasapitin mo,” he said.

(It is very obvious that this administration is intimidating its critics. It is making an example of General Poquiz that if you speak out against this government, this is what will happen to you.)

“Ikaw ay aarestuhin, hindi ka ipapakausap sa abogado mo, ha-harass ka at magsa-suffer ka pati ang iyong pamilya,” he added.

(You will be arrested, you will not be allowed to speak to your lawyer, you will be harassed, you and your family will suffer.) 

AFP: fight within legal mechanisms

In a statement issued on Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that while freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution, it must be exercised within legal bounds. 

“Acts that incite participation in rebellion, sedition, or other unlawful activities are punishable under Philippine law, regardless of an individual’s former position or status,” the AFP said.

The AFP pointed out that the fight against corruption must be pursued through established legal mechanisms and constitutional processes. 

“The military also encourages all sectors to raise concerns and seek accountability through proper forums, ensuring that such efforts strengthen democratic institutions rather than undermine them through extra-legal actions,” it said.

“As a professional and non-partisan institution, the AFP remains committed to constitutional order, respect for lawful processes, and the maintenance of peace and stability, and calls on all Filipinos to pursue their advocacies through peaceful and lawful means,” the statement said. —AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News