MANILA — The Philippine government has escalated its crackdown on online disinformation, formally pressing social media giant Meta to immediately strengthen safeguards against the spread of false information, warning of its growing threat to public order, economic stability, and national security.
In a joint letter, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda called on Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg to take urgent and decisive steps to curb misleading content, particularly on sensitive issues such as fuel prices, economic conditions, and government policies.
The two officials warned that the rapid proliferation of misleading content “poses a direct and escalating threat to public order, economic confidence, and national security.”
They stressed that the urgency of the situation is compounded by the country’s heightened vulnerability amid the global oil crisis, where rising fuel costs and increasing prices of basic goods have made the public more susceptible to misinformation.
“The Philippines is currently confronting heightened economic and public vulnerability driven by the ongoing global oil crisis. Rising fuel costs and increasing prices of essential goods have materially heightened public sensitivity to information related to economic stability and government response,” the letter read.
“In light of the foregoing, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Presidential Communications Office, hereby requires Meta to immediately align with the Philippine Government on strengthened safeguards and response mechanisms.”
The government underscored that the spread of false information capable of disrupting public order or inciting unlawful actions is punishable under existing laws.
Officials also raised concerns that disinformation could trigger artificial price increases, panic buying, and supply disruptions of essential goods—acts that may violate the Price Act and other laws against hoarding and profiteering.
Among the measures proposed were improved detection and removal of high-risk content, faster coordination with government agencies for content takedowns, the designation of a 24/7 coordination focal point, and the submission of regular transparency reports on enforcement actions.
Meta has been directed to confirm receipt of the letter within 48 hours and submit a detailed response plan within seven days, with the government warning that regulatory and legal action may follow should the company fail to comply./PN
