MANILA, Philippines — Citing significant risks to national security and public safety, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have formally called on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to implement more robust safeguards against the spread of fake news on his platforms.
In a formal letter sent on Friday, April 10, 2026, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda urged the tech giant to take “immediate action” to strengthen its platform security measures to ensure digital spaces remain safe and aligned with public interest.
The DICT noted that the urgency of the request stems from several critical factors currently impacting the Philippines:
- Disinformation Campaigns: The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has flagged a rise in coordinated disinformation targeting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other high-ranking government officials.
- Geopolitical Volatility: False narratives surrounding the conflicts in the Middle East have reportedly affected the operations of law enforcement, military agencies, and financial institutions.
- Economic Panic: Authorities highlighted that fake news peddlers are exploiting the current fuel crisis by spreading misleading advisories on oil-based products, which could trigger public panic and civil disorder.
The Philippine government is requesting that Meta adopt a series of specific, advanced protocols to mitigate these risks:
- Proactive Detection: Strengthening AI-driven systems to identify and mitigate disinformation before it goes viral.
- Expedited Takedowns: Faster review and removal protocols for content flagged as harmful to national security.
- Dedicated Liaison: The designation of a specific coordination point for real-time communication between the government and Meta.
- Clear Escalation Channels: Establishing transparent timelines for responding to urgent government requests.
- Transparency Mechanisms: Providing more clarity on how the platform manages and suppresses disinformation.
The appeal to Meta is part of a larger nationwide strategy to combat online disinformation.
- PCO Reporting Portal: The PCO announced it will soon launch a dedicated website where citizens can directly report instances of fake news.
- Inter-Agency Cooperation: The DICT, CICC, and law enforcement agencies are continuing to synchronize their efforts to track and prosecute serial disinformation spreaders.
Secretary Aguda emphasized that these measures are intended to support a “shared objective” of maintaining a reliable digital environment that respects local laws and the safety of the Filipino people.