When it comes to internet censorship, the Philippines has a mixed track record. The Philippine government does not impose blanket restrictions on specific types of content, as China does, but it has a history of organized online disinformation and social influence efforts.
In June of 2016, President Duterte said: “You are not immune from assassination simply because you are a journalist.” Four journalists were murdered in 2017, which has led to the public being far more cautious than before. For these reasons alone, we recommend using a VPN when in the Philippines.