There are laws and government procedures in the Philippines designed for restricting access to illegal and harmful online material, such as pornography that involves children. Yet, any assertions that specific websites have been banned by the Philippine government must be backed by an official blocking order or a government record.
A case involving two adult websites came about as a result of a freedom of information request made to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in August 2023. The request asked the government to ban a number of websites, such as Simpcity and FSSquad, and expressed concerns regarding the distribution of leaked explicit material. (FOI.gov.ph)
What exactly did the Philippine government say?
The NTC approved that particular request.
In its reply of August 14, 2023, the NTC said that it did not have the responsibility of monitoring websites which contain pornographic material. The commission added that its role consists of endorsing websites for blocking with telecommunications companies upon receiving requests from the Philippine National Police and other relevant government agencies. It therefore recommended that the person making the request contact the PNP. (FOI.gov.ph)
It is important to note that a single request to block a website is not the same as an official government order to ban that website.
The Philippines does have a system for blocking harmful websites
The Philippine government has in the past had systems in place for identifying and blocking certain types of illegal or prohibited online content.
The NTC has also received and dealt with Freedom of Information requests relating to the lists of pornographic websites that were blocked pursuant to NTC Memorandum Circular No. 01-01-2014. A Freedom of Information request from 2020 specifically requested the NTC’s list of blocked pornographic websites and this request was deemed successful. (FOI.gov.ph)
There are also particular legal safeguards relating to child pornography. According to the Philippines’ Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9775), internet service providers must use any available technology or software in order to block or filter access to or the transmission of child pornography. ([Philippine Commission on Women][3])
Free public Wi-Fi has additional restrictions
The public internet project carried out by the Philippine government also includes explicit restrictions.
The Free Internet Access Program, as established by Republic Act No. 10929, provides that access to pornographic websites shall be forbidden under the program. (Issuances Library)
Recently, in May 2026, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) stated once again that it prohibits pornographic and gambling websites from being accessed on its free public Wi-Fi networks. The agency explained that filtering technologies are employed to block harmful and illegal websites, especially on the Wi-Fi available in schools. (Philippine Information Agency)
What concerning Simpcity and FSSquad?
The record of the 2023 NTC FOI shows that Simpcity and FSSquad were reported to the Philippine government for possible blocking, but the response does not prove that the Philippine government then banned either of the websites.
In reality, the NTC responded in the opposite way; it said that the commission did not have the authority to independently monitor pornographic websites and suggested that the issue be reported to the PNP or to another suitable government agency. (FOI.gov.ph)
It would therefore be incorrect to state that “the Philippine government officially banned Simpcity and FSSquad” merely on the basis of this FOI document.
Why website blocking can happen
In the Philippines blocking websites may involve various government agencies and possible legal reasons, such as the presence of illegal content, material which involves child sexual abuse, offences related to cybercrime, and other kinds of prohibited material.
The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) designates acts involving child pornography carried out via a computer system as cybercrimes and connects this provision to the nation’s Anti-Child Pornography Act. (Cybercrime Division)
The Philippine Supreme Court has likewise handled cases concerning online child pornography and the way these laws are applied, showing that illegal sexual material involving minors can lead to severe criminal prosecution. (Lawphil)
A warning about leaked intimate content
Websites or online groups which distribute leaked private photographs and videos can cause serious privacy and criminal-law problems, especially in cases where the material was obtained or sent out without the person’s consent.
Because of that, people should avoid downloading, retweeting, sharing or making an effort to redistribute leaked intimate material. When someone comes across potentially illegal content, the proper course of action is to report it to the concerned platform and to the authorities rather than passing it on.
Conclusion
The Philippine government has legal and technical means of restricting illegal content online, and some pornographic material is covered by law under which it can be blocked or filtered.
The official 2023 FOI entry regarding Simpcity and FSSquad must accurately state that the websites had been reported to the NTC as possibly being blocked, but the NTC rejected that specific request and said that monitoring websites was not part of its responsibilities. The agency then advised the requester to contact the PNP or another appropriate government agency.
Hence, there is a clear distinction between a website being reported as being blocked, a government agency asking that it should be blocked, and an official government order which actually blocks it.
I have intentionally left out any links to the adult-content websites or details about how to access them. The article will instead concentrate on the government record, the legal framework, online safety, and the website-blocking procedure.
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