Sara Duterte’s spox: Facebook’s move to kill accounts could have chllling effect

DAVAO CITY — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s camp on Thursday lamented that Facebook has seemingly become a political tool following the taking down of her personal account.

Jefry Tupas, Davao City information officer, said the social network giant is facing major criticisms not only in the Philippines but even in the United States for its policy of killing accounts associated with the Trump administration.

“It appears Facebook has become a political tool, serving a certain political agenda,” Tupas said without elaborating.

While the mayor merely shrugged off the take down of her social media account, her spokesperson warned that Facebook’s move could have a chilling effect on ordinary users of the online platform.

“It was a personal account. But if it can happen to Mayor Sara, it means it can happen to anyone,” he said.

But for at least one Duterte supporter, Davao del Norte government worker Marven Amolato, the take down of the mayor’s Facebook account was not a big deal.

“She’s already known by Filipinos, especially those from Mindanao and Davao region, and there are still unbiased news portals that report and follow her,” the 28-year-old education graduate said.

“I can get news about her there,” Amolato added.

He said he was not worried if somebody would report his social media account for openly supporting the Duterte administration./lzb