President Duterte threatened to stop the operations of Facebook in the country after it took down what he referred to as the government's advocacy accounts and pages last week.
Duterte made the statement after Facebook took down two networks of fake Facebook accounts used to mislead people. Some 155 of these fake accounts were traced to Fujian, China while another 57 were linked to the Philippine military and police.
In his late-night public address, President Duterte said Facebook included several of the government's accounts used to educate the people about the threat of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
He asked Facebook what was its purpose in the Philippines if it cannot help the government in its advocacies.
"Facebook, listen to me. We allow you to operate here, hoping that you can help us also," he said.
"Now if the government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country?" he added.
"You know Facebook, insurgency is about overturning government. What would be the point of allowing you to continue if you cannot help us?" he continued.
According to Duterte, who became President due to his popularity on social media networks like Facebook, nobody can dictate the government what it can and cannot do.
"Ito na lang (Just give me this)-- tell me kung bakit hindi ko magamit para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan (why I cannot use Facebook for the welfare of my people). If the government cannot use it for the good of the people, then we have to talk. We have to talk sense," he said.
"You cannot lay down a policy for my government. I allow you to operate here. You cannot bar or prevent me from espousing the objectives of government," he added.
In a statement last week, Facebook said it removed the said accounts for violating its policy against foreign or government interference which is coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign or government entity.
Malacañang said on Wednesday that it is one with Facebook in advocating the truth and dismissing disinformation, lies, or hatred but added that the platform should exercise prudence in its actions.
"We are one in advocating the truth and dismissing disinformation, lies, or hatred. We hope the social media giant would exercise prudence in all its actions to remove any doubt of bias given its power, influence, and reach," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
Roque also sided with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) when it said that it had nothing to do with the fake Facebook accounts and pages taken down by the social media giant for violating its policies.
According to Facebook, the network of fake accounts and pages linked to the police and the military had posts written in Filipino and English. These posts talked about local news and events including domestic politics; military activities against terrorism; pending anti-terrorism bill; criticism of communism, youth activists, the opposition, and the CPP-NPA-NDF.