Facebook apologizes for declaring the Philippines at war
Facebook apologized Tuesday for accidentally declaring the Philippines is at war.
Hi @facebook, this is what the Philippine Flag looks like. 🇵🇭 #Kalayaan2016
— Eira | EIA (@EiraCaberte) June 12, 2016
Apparently unaware of the old tradition that an upside-down flag indicates a state of war, employees at the social media site created a Happy Independence Day message for its users in the Philippines with the offending image.
“Here’s to all of the Philippines’ health, happiness and prosperity,” it read.
Facebook says we're at war. Happy Independence Day, Philippines. May we truly be free. #Kalayaan2016 o #Kasarinlanpic.twitter.com/SktzRNSJMj
— Camille Conde (@Cam_Conde) June 12, 2016
Hi @Facebook I love you but I didn't know the Philippines is at war. Thanks for the effort, though ☺ #Kalayaan2016pic.twitter.com/bIq9laQM9g
— Irene Mindanaoan.com (@mindanaoan) June 12, 2016
Filipinos spotted the mistake and were quick to point out that the flag was only ever shown upside down in times of war, as stipulated in the country’s Flag and Heraldic Code.
Dear @facebook please change the Philippine flag you posted. Red on top means the country is at war. Blue should be on top! Apologize too.
— NEY (@neyvillasenor) June 12, 2016
May 28-June 12 are the Flag Days; all citizens are encouraged to fly the Philippine colors: https://t.co/O6r6YTjkPdpic.twitter.com/iSVHP4X67V
— Official Gazette PH (@govph) June 2, 2016
“This was unintentional, and we’re sorry. We care deeply about the community in the Philippines and, in an attempt to connect people on Independence Day, we made a mistake," Facebook said in a statement sent to the Philippine Star.
Dear Facebook, we've been trying to keep it a secret... Why did u announce it to the world? LMAO! #Kalayaan2016pic.twitter.com/QLm2RLmYr6
— Balut (@BalutManila) June 12, 2016
Thank you facebook but what the ef! You messed up with our national flag! 😡😡😡 #Kalayaan2016pic.twitter.com/760XcQGCDT
— rafi (@rafiaquino) June 12, 2016
@AiHeartMarj@OneMapua
— Paolo Rafael (@_Noxialis) June 12, 2016
They messed up REEEAAAAAAALLLL good 😓
Some social media users said that the flag was a subtle nod to the country’s territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea or the government’s crackdown on crime, the Star reports.
@Cam_Conde Philippines is at war because of Duterte https://t.co/COAiewnlYO
— Garenar (@garenar5) June 13, 2016
This isn’t the first time the Philippines’ flag has been shown in its wartime state. The US accidentally mixed up the colors during a meeting with President Barack Obama and a number of Asian leaders in New York in 2010. The US apologized, calling it an “honest mistake.”
This May, Chinese sailors were detained after they flew the flag upside down while sailing off the northern coast of the Philippines, reported AFP.
Never mind the #constitution Obama, Aquino love the #TPPhttps://t.co/54Vme5Ff5Spic.twitter.com/6kudW2qfBb
— RT America (@RT_America) November 18, 2015