Retired Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was released on Monday afternoon after posting bail for an inciting to sedition charge, just hours after being arrested upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Poquiz, a convenor of the anti-corruption group United People’s Initiative (UPI), paid a P48,000 cash bond at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 77. The court subsequently issued a release order, granting him provisional liberty.
The retired general was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) at approximately 8:11 a.m. Monday as he arrived from a family vacation in Bangkok, Thailand.
The arrest was based on a warrant issued on December 5, 2025, by Judge Kathleen Rosario Dela Cruz-Espinoza.
The sedition case stems from Poquiz’s alleged statements during protest rallies at the People Power Monument on November 16 and 17, 2025.
Authorities claim Poquiz encouraged military personnel to withdraw support from the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid allegations of government corruption.
Speaking to reporters following his release, Poquiz characterized the legal action as “harassment and intimidation” intended to silence critics.
“This is an attempt to suppress citizens who are expressing their outrage over rampant corruption in our country,” Poquiz said in Filipino.
He denied the charges, asserting that his remarks were an exercise of free speech and a reflection of public sentiment rather than an attempt to overthrow the government.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issued a statement on Monday maintaining that the arrest followed lawful procedures.
AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad emphasized that while freedom of expression is protected, it must be exercised within legal bounds, noting that no individual is above the law regardless of former rank.
Poquiz’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, criticized the timing of the arrest and accused the Department of Justice of “weaponizing” the law against political dissenters.
Following his processing at Camp Crame and the posting of bail, Poquiz was allowed to return home while the case proceeds in court.