Meta Platforms Inc on Wednesday suspended a network of over 400 accounts, pages, and groups ahead of general elections in the Philippines as the Facebook parent moves to crack down hate speech and misinformation.

The accounts included Facebook Pages and groups linked to Philippines' New People's Army, a banned organization, the social media company said.

Concerns about online hate speech have increased as candidates and supporters increasingly turn to social media for the May 9 election against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic disrupting traditional campaign methods.

Last month, the country's presidential candidates had pressed on the need to hold social media companies liable for the spread of misinformation.

Meta said in a blog post on Wednesday that advertisers in the Philippines will have to complete its ad authorizations process and include 'Paid for by' disclaimers on ads about elections, politics, and certain categories of social issues.

The move by Meta comes after it last month changed its stance in Ukraine that temporarily allowed calls for violence and narrowed its content moderation policy to prohibit calls for the death of a head of state.

(Reuters)

Filipinos participate in a rally marking the anniversary of the 1986's People Power Revolution that overthrew the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, near the EDSA People Power monument in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. (Reuters)

Facebook removes accounts spreading misinformation ahead of Philippines polls