Facebook pages affiliated with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the broadcasting arm of Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), have been suspended by Meta for allegedly violating the platform’s community standards.
In a statement released by SMNI, the network confirmed that its main page (SMNI News), along with DZAR 1026 and SMNI Integrated News, were removed for posting content that Meta deemed as promoting “hatred or contempt” against a group of people and using harmful racial stereotypes.
However, SMNI denies these accusations, stating: “Let us be clear: we do not post anything harmful to the community. If this is the price for speaking the TRUTH, then so be it.”
The suspension of SMNI’s Facebook pages comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the network and its ties to Quiboloy, who is wanted by U.S. authorities for alleged labor and sex trafficking.
Additionally, SMNI has been a staunch supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently arrested and taken to The Hague to face charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, expressed his dismay over the takedown, questioning the future of press freedom in the Philippines.
“Pilipinas, where do we go from here?” he posted on social media, urging followers to support SMNI’s remaining platforms like Pulso ng Bayan and Newsblast.
This is not the first time SMNI’s online platforms have been suspended. Since 2023, at least 21 of its accounts across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have been disabled for violating platform guidelines.
Last year, Google (YouTube’s parent company) and TikTok also removed SMNI-affiliated channels following sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on Quiboloy under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
YouTube confirmed that the takedowns were part of its compliance with U.S. sanctions, stating: “Google is committed to compliance with applicable U.S. sanctions laws and enforces related policies under its Terms of Service.”
Meanwhile, TikTok also removed Quiboloy’s personal account, citing violations of its community guidelines.
In March 2024, the Philippine House of Representatives revoked the legislative franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp., the company that operates SMNI, over multiple alleged violations, including:
- Dissemination of false information (fake news)
- Unapproved transfer of ownership
- Use of broadcast platforms for red-tagging and political propaganda
1-Rider Party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez, who led the franchise revocation, emphasized that SMNI’s habitual broadcast of falsehoods and red-tagging contributed to the decision:
“SMNI has engaged in red-tagging and fake news peddling, labeling members of the House, the former Vice President, and private persons as members of the New People’s Army.”
Despite losing its broadcast franchise, SMNI continued operations through digital platforms, which Meta and other companies have now suspended.
While SMNI’s Facebook presence has been shut down, the network still maintains its official website and has urged followers to engage with its remaining social media accounts.
It remains to be seen whether Meta’s suspension is permanent or temporary, but the repeated takedowns across different platforms signal increasing scrutiny on SMNI’s content.
