We, at Alyansa Tigil Mina, are disappointed that Facebook has taken down posts showing support for the #IamOnewithPalawan campaign.

Yesterday, May 18, 2024, we sent out a call to the public to support the DP Blast initiative and Petition against the Destructive and Illegal Mining Operations of Ipilan Nickel Corporation in Brooke’s Point, Palawan. We asked that people change their profile pictures to one using the badge #IamOnewithPalawan as well as to circulate and sign up in the petition link.

Today, posts about the campaign were taken down, including changed profiles and links to the petition.

As environmental advocates and supporters of the residents of Brooke’s Point, Palawan who are bravely resisting the illegal mining operations, we were glad that we could use Facebook as a platform to put out word about the situation in Palawan and generate support against mining. We were hoping that our initiative could inform more people about the threats to the environment and residents of the area.

But now, we find that Facebook apparently cannot lend its platform to support marginalized communities against large-scale mining interests. Perhaps, we were too naïve to expect that a platform which allowed fake news to proliferate would have sympathies for organizations and initiatives that are up against big corporate interests.

Too bad we were wrong about Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=433342739324944&set=a.230714322921121