MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte threatened Facebook to stop operations in the Philippines after it shut down accounts linked to Philippine state forces for engaging in “coordinated-inauthentic-behavior” (CIB).
“Facebook, listen to me. We allow you to operate here hoping that you could help us. Now, if government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country?”
President rodrigo duterte in a recorded speech aired monday september 28
The President called out the platform and accused it for supporting communists by blocking government efforts.
” You cannot lay down a policy for my government. i allow you to operate here. you cannot bar or prevent me from espousing the objective of the government,” said the President.
In a statement, Facebook’s Nathaniel Gleicher, Head of Security Policy said that Facebook removed over 57 Facebook accounts, 31 Pages and 20 Instagram accounts for violating their policy against foreign and government interference on behalf of a foreign or government entity which originated in the Philippines.
The official said that their investigation found links to Philippine military and Philippine police. These accounts have also evaded enforcement, posted content, managed Pages and commented in Filipino and English about local news and events including Philippine politics, military activities against terrorism, pending anti-terrorism bill, criticism of communism, youth activists and opposition, the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military wing the New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.