Vico Sotto slams suspension of Pasig barangays’ social media pages
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto (Photo from the Facebook page of Galing Pook)
MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Sunday criticized the suspension of several legitimate Facebook pages of barangays in the city, calling it an “alarming and puzzling” incident.
According to Sotto, the official Facebook pages of Brgy. Santolan and Brgy. Manggahan as well as the pages of local allies, including 1st District Councilor aspirant Coach Paul Senogat, were suspended on Sunday morning due to mass reporting.
“It is puzzling. It seems like they were ‘mass reported’ for ‘impersonation’, which doesn’t make sense, but maybe they tricked Facebook’s algorithm or system,” Sotto wrote in Filipino on Facebook.
“What kind of people could be behind this? There’s a storm approaching, and yet they’re intentionally hindering the barangays that rely on Facebook for important announcements?” he added.
The affected barangays confirmed the mass reporting in separate statements posted on the respective Facebook accounts of Brgy. Manggahan Captain Quin Cruz and Brgy. Santolan Captain Gab Bayan.
Article continues after this advertisement“We received several reports via Facebook that trolls mass reported our barangay page, which serves as the public information hub for events in our area,” Cruz said in Filipino on Sunday.
Article continues after this advertisement“Based on feedback from Facebook, our barangay page was ‘mass reported’ due to ‘impersonation.’ We have already submitted a dispute to have it reinstated as soon as possible,” Bayan said.
Cruz and Bayan denounced the suspension of the social media pages of their barangays and called for a resolution to restore access to their official online platforms.
“We appeal to those running for political positions in Pasig, please do not drag us into your conflicts. We are distancing the barangay from dirty politics. Let us do our work properly, as our barangay is facing many problems and these kinds of sabotage will not help in our service to the community,” Cruz said in Filipino.
Bayan said the suspension of their Facebook page also compromised their ability to distribute accurate and timely information.
“If this is politically motivated or just for petty reasons, the distribution of accurate and timely information by the barangay has become collateral damage, especially with our State of the Barangay Address today and the approaching typhoon next week. You are jeopardizing the safety and security of our fellow residents,” he said in Filipino.
READ: Vico Sotto: Pasig City to use annual savings for new city hall
