WITH an election eight months away, the supposed senatorial line-up under the Makabayan slate have fallen prey to cyberattacks.
In a statement, the group said that Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts of their senate bets and affiliate groups have not been able to upload social media posts for the past week in view of restrictions for “violating community standards.”
In some instances, posted socmed materials were taken down and followed by suspension.
Among the senate bets being groomed by the Makabayan group include peasant leader Danilo Ramos and fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo whose accounts have been suspended.
The FB page of Bayan Muna in Mindanao was also suspended recently before being restored. Prior to this, the X (Twitter) account of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was also suspended.
“The suspension of these accounts coincides with a spike in troll activities aimed at Makabayan representatives in Congress and their supporters,” Makabayan added.
The group expressed apprehension over what they claimed as “coordinated attacks meant to disable the online presence of Makabayan and its supporters, even before the election period has begun.”
“We view these actions are very worrisome as these go against freedom of expression and freedom of association.”
Interestingly, progressive groups have been targetted way before Makabayan cried foul.
In 2022, socmed accounts and allied pages of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) have been suspended or unpublished.
“This may be a preview of things to come during the actual election period. Freedom of expression advocates must be alerted and must collectively stand against these online attacks.”
The group nonetheless assured supporters that they’re “working to restore access to these accounts as we sound the alarm over intensifying online attacks meant to silence progressive and alternative voices in what is generally an elite-dominated political system.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
