President Rodrigo Duterte has a strong warning to Facebook after the said company disabled several pages connected to the military and the police.
In his latest speech on Monday, Duterte said that the government was expecting the said social media platform to help the government in promoting their advocacy including the fight against CPP-NPA.
The President also asked why Facebook should still be allowed to operate in the country.
“Itong Facebook naman, from what I learned in the past days, na pati yung advocacy ng gobyerno tinatanggal. We allow you to operate here, hoping that you could help us also. Now, if government cannot advocate something which is [for] the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country?” said Duterte.
“You know Facebook, insurgency is about overturning the government. What would be the point as it is before, in my eyes. What would be the point of allowing you to continue if you cannot help us?” he added.
“Tell me kung bakit hindi ko magamit para sa kapakanan ng taong bayan? Government cannot use it for the good of the people? Then we have to talk,” he also said.
Duterte pointed out that many lives of innocent civilians and soldiers were losing because of the rebellion happening in the country.
“Kung hindi tayo magkaintindihan netong Facebook na ‘to, I really do not know. But my job is to protect government interests, If you cannot help me protect government interest, then let us talk. We may or we may not find the solution.” he said.
“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 the government. Is there life after Facebook? I don’t know,” he added.
A few days ago, Facebook announced that they removed several Facebook page showing support to President Duterte and some of them were also connected to the military and police.
A Facebook page being managed by parents of children allegedly recruited by the communist group was also removed.