Just a few days ago, Facebook announced that it has deactivated around 155 accounts due to violating its policies. When tracked down, the social media giant found out that some of the accounts were routed from China, with 57 of them coming from the Philippine military and police. Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, even sided with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after denying that the group had anything to do with the fake accounts. However, Duterte was clearly unhappy in his latest remarks as several government agencies’ accounts were included.
“Facebook, listen to me. We allow you to operate here, hoping that you can help us also. “Now if the government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country? You know Facebook, insurgency is about overturning government. What would be the point of allowing you to continue if you cannot help us?”
Duterte further added, “Ito na lang – tell me kung bakit hindi ko magamit para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan. If the government cannot use it for the good of the people, then we have to talk. We have to talk sense. You cannot lay down a policy for my government. I allow you to operate here. You cannot bar or prevent me from espousing the objectives of government.”
The Philippine government is hoping that Facebook “would exercise prudence in all its actions to remove any doubt of bias given its power, influence, and reach.”
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