ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office-6 has reminded lawmen in Western Visayas region to be responsible social media users.
POLICE in Camp Delgado, the Police Regional Office-6 headquarters in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
“They have to abide by our existing rules and regulations. We are government employees,” said Police Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, chief of the PRO-6 Public Information Office (PIO).
The PRO-6 issued the reminder after Police Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas of the Quezon City Police District was charged for inciting to sedition over his Facebook posts criticizing the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The rules and regulations have been there already,” Solis reminded police officers assigned to the region consisting of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
The PRO-6 said lawmen are not banned from posting or airing their opinions on social media but these should not embarass the police force.
PRO-6 chief Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky reminded lawmen not to misuse their uniforms when posting on their personal accounts.
The PRO-6 reiterated the reminder ahead of the elections.
Solis said police must remain apolitical.
PRO-6 is monitoring lawmen's posts on their social media accounts.
Solis said that no policemen in Western Visayas have violated existing rules and regulations.