NBI urged: Probe ‘dehumanizing’ attacks vs PWDs

MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña yesterday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe up to 30 online accounts over alleged dehumanizing, homophobic and discriminatory remarks against persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Cendaña, accompanied by PWD advocates, filed the complaint at the NBI headquarters in Pasay against online influencers and vloggers including Cho Moreno, MP Miko Pogay and Kiffy Chu.

The lawmaker said the accounts allegedly posted content that may violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and the Safe Spaces Act.

He called for an investigation into online bullying, harassment, mockery and discrimination targeting PWDs.

Cendaña said he has also been subjected to “relentless online attacks” and “dehumanizing remarks,” but stressed that the complaint goes beyond his personal experience.

“Ultimately, this is about how we treat PWDs. No space or platform, online or offline, should ever be a venue to mock, humiliate and dehumanize PWDs,” Cendaña said. “We are asking the NBI to send a clear message: disability is not a joke, and dehumanizing PWDs is not a punchline.”