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Advocates Philippines
Retired General Poquiz Arrested At NAIA; Posts Bail In Sedition Case
Photo credit: Romeo V Poquiz
MANILA, Philippines — Retired Philippine Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was arrested on Monday morning at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after authorities served a warrant against him for inciting to sedition, police confirmed.
Poquiz, convenor of the United People’s Initiative (UPI), was taken into custody at around 8:40 a.m. by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The arrest was based on a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 in December 2025, in connection with a case filed under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code.
According to the CIDG, the operation was carried out by personnel from its National Capital Region field unit, with assistance from other CIDG offices and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group.
CIDG officials said the arrest was part of the agency’s mandate to implement court orders. In a statement, the CIDG stressed that it remains committed to enforcing the law without fear or favor.
Poquiz was later released after posting bail. He then faced the media at the CIDG-NCR headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where he denied any wrongdoing and stood by his earlier statements.
“Dapat kinakasuhan, inaaresto yung mga taong nagnakaw,” Poquiz said, maintaining that his remarks were meant to call for accountability.
In a separate social media post after his release, Poquiz wrote:
“Bail Posted. Tuloy ang Laban na Panagutin ang mga Nagnakaw sa Kaban ng Bayan at Nagtaksil sa Tiwala ng mga Mamamayan!”
Poquiz’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, criticized the arrest, describing it as an attempt to silence dissent. He said his client is prepared to face detention if necessary, framing the case as a test of free expression.
“In an oppressive and authoritarian regime, a jail is the only place for decent people,” Topacio said.
In a radio interview, Topacio explained that the sedition charge allegedly stemmed from claims that Poquiz encouraged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and urged the public to disregard the government. The lawyer insisted that Poquiz never intended to incite unrest and that his statements during rallies were being taken out of context.
Authorities, for their part, said the case would be resolved in court.
Despite the arrest, Poquiz and his supporters said they would continue their advocacy, as the legal proceedings move forward.
Poquiz, convenor of the United People’s Initiative (UPI), was taken into custody at around 8:40 a.m. by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The arrest was based on a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 in December 2025, in connection with a case filed under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code.
According to the CIDG, the operation was carried out by personnel from its National Capital Region field unit, with assistance from other CIDG offices and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group.
CIDG officials said the arrest was part of the agency’s mandate to implement court orders. In a statement, the CIDG stressed that it remains committed to enforcing the law without fear or favor.
Poquiz was later released after posting bail. He then faced the media at the CIDG-NCR headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where he denied any wrongdoing and stood by his earlier statements.
“Dapat kinakasuhan, inaaresto yung mga taong nagnakaw,” Poquiz said, maintaining that his remarks were meant to call for accountability.
In a separate social media post after his release, Poquiz wrote:
“Bail Posted. Tuloy ang Laban na Panagutin ang mga Nagnakaw sa Kaban ng Bayan at Nagtaksil sa Tiwala ng mga Mamamayan!”
Poquiz’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, criticized the arrest, describing it as an attempt to silence dissent. He said his client is prepared to face detention if necessary, framing the case as a test of free expression.
“In an oppressive and authoritarian regime, a jail is the only place for decent people,” Topacio said.
In a radio interview, Topacio explained that the sedition charge allegedly stemmed from claims that Poquiz encouraged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and urged the public to disregard the government. The lawyer insisted that Poquiz never intended to incite unrest and that his statements during rallies were being taken out of context.
Authorities, for their part, said the case would be resolved in court.
Despite the arrest, Poquiz and his supporters said they would continue their advocacy, as the legal proceedings move forward.
Jan 5, 2026
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