Nelson Morales

Blocking Facebook to curb violence is last resort, says CICC

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA— Blocking Facebook and other social media platforms would only be the last resort to curb violence, said the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/25/palace-open-to-banning-facebook-gaming-apps-over-violence-and-disinformation-1605" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palace open to banning Facebook gaming apps over violence and disinformation</a></div><p>Speaking to state television&#x27;s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso said they were only following the government mandate to ensure the online safety of Filipinos.</p><p>&quot;Let&#x27;s be clear, yung geoblocking ng platforms is only the last option for us,&quot; Paraiso said.</p><p>Paraiso said that they will have a dialogue with officials of Meta and Roblox to talk about measures in curbing violence.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/remulla-links-roblox-to-radicalization-after-zamboanga-shooting-1506" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Remulla links Roblox to &#x27;radicalization&#x27; of children after deadly Zamboanga shooting</a></div><p>Paraiso said they will question the companies on why they can&#x27;t implement online safety measures in the Philippines like how they are doing in other countries.</p><p>&quot;Ito yung commitment natin, uunahin natin na magkaroon ng ibang hakbang bago ikunsidera ang pag-block sa mga platforms na ito,&quot; Paraiso said.</p><p>Malacañang has earlier said the President is open to banning Facebook and other gaming apps if these are adversely affecting the behavior of the Filipino youth.</p><p>&quot;Kung kinakailangan po at ito po ang napag-aralan kasi marami po talagang … hindi lamang po sa nagiging marahas iyong nakikita natin sa iba’t ibang klase na social platform at sa social media, kailangan din pong pag-aralan kung ito ba ay nakakabuti sa paglaganap ng mga fake news sa ating bansa,&quot; Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;Kung hindi magkakaroon ng accountability ang anumang social media platform at parang nababalewala ang ating mga hiling para maproteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan laban sa karahasan, laban sa fake news, kung mabagal ang pagtugon, magandang pag-isipan at pag-aralan kung dapat silang manatili na parte ng ating sistema,&quot; she added. </p><div><strong>MEETING META IN SINGAPORE</strong></div><p>CICC officials and representatives of several government agencies are set to meet Meta officials in Singapore on Thursday, August 27.</p><p>Paraiso told ABS-CBN News that the Philippine delegation for the said meeting includes officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), National Bureau of Investigation and several government agencies among others.</p><p>“Lilipad po kami nina Sec. Henry Aguda- that’s the head of the delegation for tomorrow…para makipagusap po ito sa Meta at Roblox to secure their commitment para sa online safety natin and again, to demand that they have a local presence here,” Paraiso said.</p>

<p>Blocking Facebook and other social media platforms would only be the last resort to curb violence, said the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.</p>

Blocking Facebook and other social media platforms would only be the last resort to curb violence, said the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.