MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is turning to Meta for assistance in identifying the individuals behind roughly 30 social media accounts that allegedly ridiculed the disability and sexual orientation of Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced on Friday the move in response to a complaint filed by the party-list lawmaker - a stroke survivor and openly gay man who had sought the bureau's help in investigating the accounts - among them those of Cho Moreno, MP Miko Pogay, and Kiffy Chu—which reportedly posted content that may violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and the Safe Spaces Act.
Matibag said he was not at the NBI office when the lawmaker filed the complaint on Tuesday but assured him that the bureau's Cybercrime Division "is acting on it already."
The top NBI official said the agency is now requesting Meta for identification, noting that it already maintains a direct line with the company for such purposes.
Matibag recalled that he and several others had traveled to Singapore, where Meta committed to providing documents upon request.
Cendaña went to the NBI's Cybercrime Division to file the complaint, citing his encounters with various social media accounts.
The legislator noted that the "common thread" among the accounts attacking him was their disagreement with his political views.
The online attacks on his physical appearance began after Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa made a remark about him following his filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte in 2024, Cendaña said.
He stressed that the complaint was not solely about his personal experience but also about all persons with disabilities who face similar discrimination.
