Manila: Malaca±ang announced it is open to proposals to ban social media platforms such as Facebook and gaming apps if they are found to pose serious risks to public safety and fail to address misinformation and online harms effectively. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made this announcement after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) suggested a potential ban on Facebook following the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized that any proposal to ban these platforms must undergo thorough study, particularly if the platforms fail to cooperate with government efforts aimed at protecting Filipinos from violence, misinformation, and other online risks. Castro stated, "If necessary, and if this is what studies show, because there are really many concerns-not only the violence that we see on different social platforms and social media-we also need to study whether these platforms contribute to the spread of fake news in our country."

Castro highlighted the importance of accountability from social media platforms and their responsiveness to government requests to safeguard users. She noted, "If any social media platform does not have accountability and our requests to protect Filipinos from violence and fake news are disregarded, if its response is slow, it would be worth considering and studying whether it should remain part of our system."

Addressing concerns about potential infringements on freedom of expression, Castro distinguished misinformation from legitimate criticism. She said, "Fake news is different from simply expressing your opinion or being a critic; that is not prohibited." She further assured, "No critic is being prohibited, especially under President Marcos Jr."

The administration's primary concern is the deliberate spread of false information and its potential impact on young people. Castro mentioned that the government would also evaluate other digital platforms and applications that may pose risks to children and the country.

With around 95 million Filipino users, Facebook remains one of the country's most widely used social media platforms.