WORKERS’ groups at ABS-CBN Corp. on Monday said their online signature campaign for the renewal of the legislative franchise of the media giant had been “sabotaged” by trolls.
In a statement, the ABS-CBN Rank and File Employees’ Union and the ABS-CBN Supervisory Employees’ Union described the online attack as an “organized effort” by those seeking to permanently close the media company.
They said the attacks were carried out by bots and fake accounts.
“We are cleaning up our database right now and will relaunch with proper security to prevent another attack. We will not give up because we are fighting for our family, for our children and their future,” ABS-CBN Rank and File Employees Union President Jon Villanueva said.
ABS-CBN Supervisory Employees’ Union President Raul de Asis said: “Our intentions are clean in conducting this online petition. To those who are discrediting us, please do not sabotage the efforts of the people working in ABS-CBN.”
ABS-CBN, whose franchise expired on May 4, halted its broadcasting operations after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order on May 5.
Ordered closed are five AM radio stations, which include DZMM-AM in Obando, Bulacan; 18 FM radio stations; 42 TV stations; and 10 DTTB stations for implementation. — Arjay L. Balinbin
