The Philippine Collegian, a campus publication at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) condemned Meta for taking down the newspaper’s report and video posted on March 30 on Facebook. Facebook owner Meta removed the report due to alleged violations of its community rules.

The Philippine Collegian video and report featured the march of National Democratic Front revolutionary organizations on the UP Diliman campus. The newspaper reported that these groups held the march to commemorate the anniversary of the New People’s Army.

In a statement issued by the Philippine Collegian editor, Meta informed them that the video was taken down because it contained “symbols, praise, or support for individuals or organizations that Meta describes as dangerous.” Aside from removing the video, Meta penalized the newspaper’s FB page by tagging it “not recommended” due to its alleged violation of company policies.

The newspaper called Meta’s actions a “blatant act of censorship.” The publication is now seeking other ways to challenge this.

“[The report] is the truth, and restricting student publications in its critical reportage only blocks the people’s right to information even in our digital platforms,” CEGP spokesperson Brell Lacerna said.

Lacerna believes that reporting on matters related to armed struggle in the Philippines and its legitimate causes is not wrong.

If Meta aims to use censorship to end armed struggle in the Philippines, it is mistaken. “Meta, or even the state, cannot simply eradicate the armed struggle through censorship [of related news] on its platforms,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lacerna criticized Meta for tolerating disinformation and terror tagging on Facebook pages proliferated, funded and operated by the state. These often target legal mass organizations and their members. He stated that these are clearly what should be considered “untruthful and dangerous.”