Romeo V. Poquiz is a retired Major General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) whose career spans both a long military career and a highly visible post-retirement role in Philippine politics. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981, he served for more than three decades as an Air Force aviator and senior commander, holding key leadership positions before retiring from active service in 2014.
Following retirement, Poquiz emerged as an outspoken civic figure, frequently weighing in on issues of governance, corruption, constitutional order, and the role of the military in a democratic society. His transition from career officer to public critic placed him at the center of national attention, particularly amid political tensions in the mid-2020s. This visibility intensified when he became associated with movements led by retired officers and later faced legal controversy, including allegations related to inciting to sedition.
Today, General Poquiz is recognized not only for his military service but also for his influence in contemporary Philippine political debates, making him more relevant in todays Philippine’s Politics.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Romeo de Vera Poquiz |
| Also Known As | Gen. Romeo Poquiz / Retired Maj. Gen. Romeo V. Poquiz |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1958 |
| Age | 67 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace / Province | Quezon, Isabela, Philippines |
| Education | – Bachelor of Science – Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Class of 1981– Master of Science in Management – Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California |
| Military Service | Philippine Air Force (PAF) |
| Service Years | 1981–2014 |
| Final Rank | Major General |
| Key Commands Held | – 710th Special Operations Wing – 2nd Air Division |
| Post-Military Roles | Civilian board appointments (e.g., BCDA, PNOC) |
| Notable Public Activity | Led coalition of retired generals (United People’s Initiative) pushing for accountability and policy reform |
| Legal Controversy | Arrested in early 2026 on inciting to sedition charge (posted bail) |
| Known For | Military leadership and post-retirement political engagement |
| Spouse | Marilyn Poquiz |
| https://www.facebook.com/cove58/ |
Romeo V. Poquiz Early Life
Romeo V. Poquiz was born on October 14, 1958, in Quezon, Isabela. He completed his primary and secondary education in the Philippines, where he developed an early interest in discipline, leadership, and national service. This formative period helped in his admission to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), marking the beginning of his formal military training and eventual career in the armed forces.
His early life is generally characterized by a strong orientation toward public service and institutional leadership, setting the foundation for his long tenure in the Philippine Air Force and his later emergence as a prominent Military figure.
Romeo V. Poquiz Education
Romeo V. Poquiz received a structured and highly specialized education that prepared him for a professional career in military leadership and aviation.
His formal military journey began at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated with PMA Class of 1981. Training at the academy provided rigorous academic, tactical, and leadership foundations, and positioned him among the country’s emerging military officers.
Seeking further specialization, he later advanced his studies abroad at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, where he completed a Master of Science in Management in 2000. The program strengthened his skill in organizational management, strategic planning, and institutional command skills that became central to his later assignments within the Philippine Air Force.
His educational background reflects a blend of national service training and international academic preparation, which collectively shaped his approach to leadership, operational command, and post-retirement civic engagement.
Romeo V. Poquiz Military Career (1981–2014)
After graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981, Romeo V. Poquiz began his career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the day after completing his PMA training, entering service with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as a commissioned officer.
Early in his career, Poquiz served as an Air Force aviator, including piloting helicopter gunships during internal security and counter-insurgency operations such as anti-illegal drug campaigns in the Cordillera region in the mid-1980s.
By the early 2000s, he had risen through the ranks to command the 710th Special Operations Wing, a rapid deployment and special operations unit within the PAF.
In October 2010, Poquiz was appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics under the AFP headquarters staff. Later promotions followed, including elevation to Major General while serving as Air Force Inspector General in September 2012.
On April 8, 2013, he assumed command of the 2nd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force, overseeing air operations in the Visayas region and playing a role in disaster relief efforts, including operations after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013.
Romeo V. Poquiz served as commander of the 2nd Air Division until his retirement on October 13, 2014. At his testimonial ceremony in Mactan, Cebu, he was honored with military insignia and awards commemorating his service.
Romeo V. Poquiz Civilian Roles and Later Activities
Following his retirement from active military service, Romeo V. Poquiz continued to be engaged in public affairs. He served on government boards during the Duterte administration, including appointments to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Philippine National Oil Company.
In the years leading up to and following the 2022 Philippine general election, he was involved in political campaigns and later became a vocal critic of aspects of national policy, particularly concerning governance, military affairs, and foreign relations.
From 2025 onward, Poquiz led a coalition of retired military officers known as the United People’s Initiative (UPI), advocating for accountability and reforms and briefly drawing significant national attention when his group sought to persuade active military leadership to reconsider support for the sitting president. These activities were widely covered as part of broader political controversies in the Philippines.
Legal & Political Controversies (2025–2026)
In early January 2026, Retired Air Force Major General Romeo V. Poquiz was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon returning from a trip abroad after an arrest warrant was issued in December 2025 in connection with an inciting to sedition charge. The warrant stemmed from allegations that his public statements and actions particularly urging members of the military to reconsider their support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid widespread anti-corruption protests amounted to conduct that could incite sedition under Philippine law.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) executed the arrest based on the warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77; Poquiz was initially detained and later posted bail, with the court setting bail at ₱48,000.
Poquiz and his legal representatives have denied that his statements constituted incitement to sedition, arguing that his remarks and activism were expressions of public concern about corruption rather than unlawful encouragement of rebellion.
The case has drawn significant national and international attention, sparking debate about the boundaries between lawful political expression and offenses such as sedition, as well as the application of such laws to retired military officers engaged in civic activities. Authorities have maintained that even high-ranking former officers are subject to the law if their conduct crosses into prohibited territory, while supporters of Poquiz have framed the legal action as an attempt to silence dissent.
Romeo V. Poquiz Age and Date of Birth
Romeo V. Poquiz was born on October 14, 1958, in Quezon, Isabela, Philippines. Based on this birth date, he is still 67 years old as of early 2026.
Conclusion
Romeo V. Poquiz stands as a Public figure whose life bridges military service and civic engagement. His decades-long career in the Philippine Air Force, Advancing to the rank of Major General, solidified his reputation as a disciplined commander and strategic leader. After retirement, his transition into national political sphere placed him at the center of public debates on governance, accountability, and constitutional order. These roles military and post-military have shaped both his reputation and the public’s interest in his biography.
His story highlights how retired officers can continue to influence national conversations, not through command authority, but through advocacy, criticism, and civic organization. Whether viewed as a defender of institutional integrity or as a controversial political leader, Poquiz’s trajectory reflects the complex relationship between the armed forces, democratic institutions, and civilian politics in the Philippines. As such, his life and career continue to draw attention from researchers, journalists, and citizens seeking to understand the evolving landscape of civil-military relations in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retired Gen. Romeo V. Poquiz
1. Who is Retired Gen. Romeo V. Poquiz?
He is a retired Major General of the Philippine Air Force known for his long military career and for becoming a vocal public figure on national governance and political issues after retirement.
2. What branch of the military did he serve in?
He served in the Philippine Air Force (PAF), primarily as an aviator and senior commander.
3. What was his highest rank before retirement?
He retired with the rank of Major General.
4. When did Gen. Poquiz retire from the military?
He retired from active military service in 2014, after more than three decades in uniform.
5. What are his notable military command positions?
He held several senior posts, including Commander of the 2nd Air Division and Commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing of the Philippine Air Force.
6. Where did Gen. Poquiz receive his military education?
He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Class of 1981, and later completed a Master of Science in Management at the Naval Postgraduate School in the United States.
7. Is Gen. Poquiz a combat pilot?
Yes. He is trained as an Air Force aviator, with operational and command experience during his service.
8. What is Gen. Poquiz known for after retirement?
After retirement, he became known for public political opinion and activism on issues such as corruption, governance, national sovereignty, and constitutional order.
09. Was Gen. Poquiz ever arrested or charged?
He has faced legal action, including sedition-related charges, stemming from his public statements and political activities.
10. Is Gen. Poquiz affiliated with any civic or political groups?
He has been associated with civic movements and coalitions advocating reforms, accountability, and institutional integrity.
11. Is he married?
Yes. He is married to Marilyn Poquiz but has maintained a relatively private family life despite his public profile.
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