The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday, Jan. 5, that the arrest of retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) Major General Romeo V. Poquiz was carried out through lawful means which reflects the “primacy of the rule of law and the authority of established legal institutions.”

In a statement, the AFP said a civilian court issued a valid warrant of arrest against Poquiz for the charge of inciting to sedition filed against him. The charge for inciting to sedition refers to acts that encourage others to commit acts that would overthrow or resist government authority.

“The AFP reiterates 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,” it stressed.

Poquiz was arrested by the police upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Monday. He was taken into custody based on a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 for inciting to sedition under the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The case is linked to Poquiz’s participation in anti-corruption protests held in November 2025 where he appealed to members of the military to withdraw their support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid allegations of corruption in flood control projects.

The AFP stressed that no individual is above the law regardless of rank or past service. It emphasized that the enforcement of court orders is a legal duty and not a political act.

“The AFP has consistently expressed support for the nation’s pursuit of good governance and integrity in public service. However, the fight against corruption must be pursued through established legal mechanisms and constitutional processes,” it said.

The military also said that calls for accountability and good governance should be pursued through lawful and constitutional channels. It warned that extra-legal actions weaken democratic institutions instead of strengthening them.

Meanwhile, the AFP reaffirmed its non-partisan stance and noted that the organization remains committed to constitutional order and lawful processes.

“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,” it said.

Poquiz acts as the spokesperson for the United People’s Initiative (UPI), a civic group composed mainly of retired military and police officials along with other sectors which emerged as an anti-corruption and accountability movement amid allegations of corruption under the Marcos administration.

His bail was set at P48,000 which he intended to post, according to his lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

Back in October 2025, AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed meeting with Poquiz' group at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City before the massive anti-corruption protest on September 21, 2025.

Prior to the September 21 protest, Brawner said the UPI began marching from Batasan to Camp Aguinaldo on September 16 to 17 to call for a dialogue with him.

“When they were outside the gates of Camp Aguinaldo, they were shouting that they wanted an audience with me. In fact, they had a letter delivered. I received it on Friday (September 19), and by Saturday (September 20), I gave them the chance to speak with us,” Brawner recounted in an interview on Oct. 3.

The meeting, which took place while the AFP was on red alert for the September 21 protest, allowed the group to express its concerns. According to Brawner, the retired officials stressed that they were against corruption.

“I told them, ‘yes sir, we are one with the people in our fight against corruption. In that sense, we are actually the same.’ But I reminded them that as soldiers, we gave up some rights when we took our oath to defend the Constitution, the people, our territory, and our sovereign rights. That includes the right to self-expression. We cannot just go out to the streets to air grievances,” he said.

Brawner emphasized that there was no agreement reached during the meeting with Poquiz but the dialogue served as a venue to assure the retired officers that the military remains “united, solid, disciplined, and professional” despite calls for military intervention amid the widespread corruption in the government.

“I assured them that the AFP is solid. I told them, ‘I am very proud to report to you, sir, that your AFP is now a highly professional and disciplined organization, and that is partly because of the foundations you yourselves laid when you were still in active service,” he told Poquiz.

Brawner then reported to President Marcos the coup rumors, including calls for the AFP’s withdrawal of support for the administration and the establishment of a military junta "in order to come up with a reset for the entire Philippine society," as well as his meeting with Poquiz’ group.