Philippine military disables Facebook features to counter pro-Beijing trolls

This move comes after a surge in pro-Beijing propaganda and fake news targeting the armed forces and their stance on the South China Sea dispute

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Published: 5:29pm, 28 Nov 2024

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will disable certain features on its official Facebook page “to deny trolls a platform for their suspicious activities” after a recent surge of activity on its page.

“Troll farms are a menace to society, and we choose not to empower inauthentic actors in their coordinated attempt to spread disinformation and malinformation,” Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the armed forces’ public affairs office, said in a statement.

The military apologised to its “legitimate followers” affected by the temporary measure, adding that official statements, releases, and information would continue to be shared through official channels and recognised media.

“We call on everyone to report malicious activities online and receive information from reputable sources only,” Trinidad said.

The latest move follows actions over the past year, in which officials have condemned alleged “online trolls” or coordinated social media activity said to be spreading false information and pro-Beijing views on the South China Sea dispute.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner said there has been a surge in disinformation campaigns. Photo: AFP

In June, armed forces chief General Romeo Brawner warned of an “alarming surge in disinformation campaigns” designed to “sow panic, divide the nation, and distract Filipinos from pressing issues that demanded collective attention.