MANILA – Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa wants the Senate to investigate the removal of some pro-government and anti-communist pages on social media giant Facebook.
Dela Rosa filed Senate Resolution No. 531 recently saying that the removal of Facebook pages due to “coordinated inauthentic behavior” may be violating Filipinos’ right to free speech.
“There is an urgent need for the Senate to investigate the censorship done by Facebook considering that it affects not only the peace and order and security of our country, but likewise greatly affects every Filipino’s freedom of expression as guaranteed by no less than the Philippine Constitution,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa added that among the 57 accounts, 31 Facebook pages and 21 Instagram profiles deleted were those “supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte” and “military activities against terrorism.”
The former Philippine National Police chief further said that the Facebook pages that were taken down have been criticizing “communism, youth activist and opposition,” and “posts against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military wing, the New People’s Army.
” It was alleged by those who criticize the censorship made by the social network platform that some Facebook pages and profiles allegedly supporting and promoting the violent activities and ideologies of the communist-terrorist CPP-NPA were not included in the action taken by Facebook,” Dela Rosa said.
During his public address on Monday evening, President Duterte admonished the social media giant for the removal of the Philippine military’s “advocacy” accounts.
Facebook has yet to comment on President Duterte’s tirades, including a seeming threat against its operations in the Philippines./PN
