Duterte questions letting Facebook stay after accounts shut

MANILA, Sept 29 (AP): President Rodrigo Duterte questioned why he should allow Facebook to continue operating in the Philippines after the social media giant removed accounts he said was backed his government's interests, including fighting insurgents.

Facebook said last week it had removed a Philippine network of fake accounts whose operators tried to conceal their identities and used "coordinated inauthentic behavior" to mislead people.

Duterte did not specify which Facebook accounts he meant. He said he had not thought of specific steps to take on the issue, though he sought a meeting with the American company in his rambling, televised remarks Monday night on a range of topics.

"You know, Facebook, insurgency is about overturning government," Duterte said. "What would be the point of allowing you to continue if you cannot help us?"