Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that former air force general Romeo Poquiz, 67, was arrested this morning at the international airport in the capital Manila, upon his return from a vacation in Thailand. Poquiz had publicly called on the Philippine military to stop supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amidst a corruption scandal.

"He was arrested on charges of inciting sedition related to his recent statements", Remulla said.

Jose Nartatez, acting chief of the Philippine National Police, stated that police arrested Poquiz under a warrant issued on 5/12/2025. In a social media post, the former general confirmed his arrest at the airport and stated he was being taken to the national police headquarters in Manila.

Ferdinand Topacio, Poquiz's lawyer, said he had not been allowed to meet his client. The lawyer explained that Poquiz's previous call to withdraw support for the president was not "direct incitement to sedition", but merely "a discussion of potential consequences due to corruption".

"This move shows the government is condemning those who expose wrongdoing, instead of those who are stealing the people's money", Topacio accused.

Former Philippine general Romeo Poquiz in handcuffs after his arrest on 5/1. *Photo: Inquirer*

In 10/2025, Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner stated that some retired officers dissatisfied with Marcos, led by former general Poquiz, had met him and called for the president's overthrow. This group also approached young officers to seek a "coup and establishment of a military government", aiming to "reset" Philippine society.

Brawner said he rejected the retired officers' request and reported their intentions to President Marcos.

The aforementioned incident occurred before a large-scale anti-corruption protest on 21/9/2025 in Manila. The protest was related to the state budget allegedly losing billions of USD due to irregularities in flood control projects. This scandal was also the central issue in President Marcos's national address in 7/2025.

Both Marcos's allies and opponents were subsequently implicated in the scandal. Some political opponents even suggested that the Philippine president was the main beneficiary of the corruption.

Pham Giang (via AFP)