The Philippine government has warned that it may suspend Facebook’s operations in the country after repeated failures by Meta Platforms, Inc. to take down fake news, deepfake content, and online scams spreading on the platform.
Why it Matters: The DICT’s warning comes as the government steps up efforts to address online disinformation that could impact public order and national security. The agency says Meta’s failure to take action threatens citizen safety, trust in government institutions, and the country’s digital ecosystem.
In a letter sent on July 15, 2025, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda directly addressed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to express strong disappointment over the platform’s continued inaction. The letter cited the spread of harmful content such as AI-generated videos attacking government officials, false news about lockdowns due to MPOX, and online scams including fake promos and gambling links.
“Marami nang na-scam dahil sa maling impormasyon tulad ng mga pekeng promo, gambling, at investment sites. Ang fake news ay nagpapakalat ng takot at galit na maari ding magdulot ng pagkasira ng reputasyon, at pagkawala ng tiwala sa ating digital economy,” Aguda said in a statement.
According to reports from Bilyonaryo and MYTV, Aguda’s letter included detailed documentation of disinformation flagged by government agencies. The DICT said these harmful posts remain online despite repeated reports and formal takedown requests submitted over the past months.
The DICT pointed out that malicious content on Facebook violates Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, as well as other national security regulations. The agency emphasized that the spread of false content has led to public panic, reputational damage, and distrust in digital platforms.
PHOTOS: Some of the malicious ads on Facebook, as I personally screen captured.
This follows Aguda’s appearance at a joint House committee hearing on June 5, where he warned lawmakers that fake news is not just an online problem but a growing threat to national sovereignty. He also cited the need for faster coordination with tech companies to minimize the spread of false information.
Aguda also raised concerns that Meta no longer has content moderation teams based in the Philippines, making enforcement slower. Since 2018, Meta has centralized moderation operations for Southeast Asia in Singapore.
In an interview with DZBB on July 17, Aguda said Meta must either comply with takedown requests or face regulatory action. “Either they follow our requests—or the government has to take action,” he said.
As part of its next steps, the DICT is looking into the possibility of suspending access to Facebook in the Philippines if Meta continues to ignore government takedown orders. The agency also revealed plans to set up a dedicated team that will work with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Presidential Communications Office (PCO), and Department of Justice (DOJ) to monitor and report harmful content more effectively.
So far, Meta has not issued a public statement in response to the July 15 letter. The DICT said it remains open to discussions but expects Meta to act “swiftly and decisively.”
What do you think—should the government suspend Facebook if Meta fails to act on harmful content, or is there a better solution?
Discover more from WalasTech
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
