The Philippine Armed Forces has defended the arrest of retired air force general Romeo Poquiz on charges of inciting to sedition, calling it consistent with the “rule of law.” The arrest follows the circulation of a video in which Poquiz urged the military chief to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, whom he alleged was a drug addict.
Arrest of Retired General
Poquiz, 67, was detained Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila upon his return from a holiday in Bangkok, according to his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio.
The military has cautioned against retired generals attempting to destabilize the Marcos administration by influencing active officials to withdraw their support for the president. Public outrage has been mounting in response to Poquiz’s statements.
Observers do not anticipate the arrest will trigger a widespread “chilling effect” among former officials, given Poquiz’s limited influence. The last arrest of a general for a similar offense occurred 17 years ago.
Topacio has claimed the Marcos government is attempting to silence critics through “intimidation.”
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