THE RETIRED GENERAL who was earlier tagged to be behind the aborted coup plot in the last quarter of 2025 had just been arrested for inciting to sedition.
By virtue of an arrest warrant, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) handcuffed retired Major Gen. Romeo Poquiz shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
Poquiz came from Bangkok, Thailand where he spent Christmas with his family.
According to CIDG-NCR chief Police Colonel John Guiagui, the arrest was executed in accordance with the proper procedure.
“Binasahan natin siya ng Miranda Rights niya. Pinaalam natin ‘yung warrant of arrest for inciting to sedition, which was ang nagbigay nito is ‘yung sa Quezon City Regional Trial Court 77,” Guiagui told reporters.
Interestingly, the retired general is among an estimated 100 military officials who signed a manifesto calling for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s resignation amid the so-called flood control scandal which involved his political allies — including his cousin former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Poquiz was arrested in connection with the sedition charges (which was later downgraded to inciting to sedition) for his participation in the protest action at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on November 16 and 17 last year.
From NAIA, Poquiz was brought to Camp Crame for processing, according to Atty. Ferdinand Topacio who is expected to post bail for the retired general’s temporary liberty.
As this developed, Topacio hinted at filing charges against Poquiz’s arresting officers, even as he claimed that the police allegedly violated the rights of his client.
“So, we will make the people responsible to be held to account. For the violation of the rights of our client,” added Topacio who aptly described the arrest as a scare tactic of the administration.
“Ito po ay talagang very obvious na tinatakot po ng administrasyon na ito ang kanyang mga kritiko. Ito po ay ginawang sampol si General Poquiz na kapag ikaw ay nagsalita laban sa gobyernong ito, ito ang sasapitin mo.”