๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก | ๐ข๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ผ๐น๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐๐ | ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐น ๐ณ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) expresses its deep outrage and strongest condemnation over the recent viral video circulating on social media, which shows a group of four men mocking and ridiculing an elderly woman with disability in Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City, on March 31, 2025.
This act is not just offensiveโit is criminal.
What these individuals committed is Public Ridicule, a clear violation of Republic Act No. 9442, which amends the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (RA 7277). Under Section 7 of this law, persons with disabilities are to be protected from public ridicule, mockery, and any form of humiliation that degrades their personhood.
This behavior is unacceptable. It is cruel. It is illegal.
We remind everyone: Mocking or making fun of persons with disabilities is a punishable offense under Philippine law. Perpetrators may face fines and imprisonment. No one is above the law.
The NCDA fully supports the legal action being pursued by the concerned parties and commends the Barangay for issuing the necessary Certificate to File Action. We urge law enforcement authorities, especially the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, and Persons with Disabilities Affairs Offices (PDAOs) to ensure that the perpetrators are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice without delay.
TO ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE PUBLIC: THIS MUST STOP NOW
We call on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the PNP, and local authorities to:
- Intensify monitoring of social media and public spaces for incidents of abuse.
- Immediately respond to complaints involving ridicule or harassment of persons with disabilities.
- Educate communities about the dignity and rights of PWDs.
- Protect vulnerable individuals, especially those who cannot always defend themselves.
TO THE FILIPINO PUBLIC
We urge every Filipino:
- Speak out. Do not be silent in the face of cruelty.
- If you witness similar actsโreport them immediately to your local Barangay, PNP, PDAOs, or the NCDA via council@ncda.gov.ph.
This is not just about one viral video. This is about who we are as a society.
Let us prove that we are a nation that protects its most vulnerable, and that dignity is not negotiableโregardless of age, gender, or ability.
We will not tolerate cruelty. We will not normalize disrespect.
We will fight for justice, and we invite every Filipino to stand with us.
#JusticeForPWDs
