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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Facebook usually sends out greetings for major holidays, and the Philippines’ Independence Day was no exception.
On Sunday, June 12, Facebook users from the Philippines woke up to an Independence Day greeting. There was one problem, however: the country’s flag was inverted.
Instead of the blue part of the flag on top, it was the red one, erroneously indicating that the country is in a state of war.
Social media users immediately pointed out the glaring mistake – some of them taking it lightly, but others definitely not pleased.
oh my the Philippine flag, Red color over blue. We’re at war so declared by @facebook #IndependenceDay
Aww. @facebook has inappropriately inverted Philippine flag as it greets our country for the celebration of the Independence Day.
Maraming salamat sa pagbati facebook! Pero bakit baliktad yung Philippine Flag?
@facebook pls correct the colors of the Philippine flag. Blue goes on the top. #FBFail pic.twitter.com/ywLOyRHDHt
Hello @facebook admin. Can you please correct the Philippine flag in your greeting? Red on top means war. #flagfail #doyourresearchplease
Hi @facebook, this is what the Philippine Flag looks like. #Kalayaan2016
yung Philippine Flag sa Facebook red ang nasa taas instead na blue. Ano Gyera na?
Facebook has the Philippine flag upside down. If this is a sign of things to come… pic.twitter.com/3vz6wkdZcp
facebook waving the philippine flag at war???!!! pic.twitter.com/ELB2k1Y3CA
An inverted Philippine Flag?
Anong nangyareeeee Facebook???????? https://t.co/vJa1dPZ3qn
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.
Dear @facebook when the red part of the Philippine flag is on top, it means we are at war. Pls correct this. pic.twitter.com/6NcI4JVmGf
For LGBT rights advocate Jonas Bagas, the inverted flag may have been an “appropriate mistake” because “it seems we are at war anyway, at least at war against ourselves, and eager to be at war with humanity.”
Bagas pointed out the controversies hounding President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, such as his remarks about the United Nations and media killings. (READ: Duterte camp to UN: He ‘will never condone’ killings)
Some said the inverted flag could mean war against drugs and criminality, which Duterte promised to curb in his first 6 months in office. (READ: Dissecting and weighing Duterte’s anti-crime strategy)
In a statement on Sunday, Facebook apologized for the error.
“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,” the social network said.
As one netizen pointed out, though, Facebook did get something right.
What do you think of Facebook’s boo-boo? Got thoughts about Independence Day? Post your comments below or share your views on X. – Rappler.com
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