Revilla asks Facebook to explain removed posts of gov’t officials, agencies

Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. is asking Facebook Philippines to explain the flagging and removal of posts and shared stories of government officials and government media agencies.

Revilla, on April 26, wrote a letter addressed to John Rubio, Country Director of Facebook in the Philippines and asked for any information and explanation regarding to a series of incidents involving the flagging and removal of posts and shared stories of government officials and government media agencies.

One of the incidents is the restriction warning that Facebook issued against the account of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Revilla is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

“While we recognize Facebook and Meta’s continuing efforts against disinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, terrorism, among other problems encountered in social media platforms, I join the concern of the government agencies and mass media organizations about the effects of the abovementioned incidents in the performance of official functions and their implications in national security, sovereignty and fundamental freedoms,” Revilla said in the letter.

Facebook is yet to respond to the letter as of writing.