Meta ‘is known as a associate in crime within the algorithm-controlled dissemination’ of pretend accounts, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David tells Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David is in search of the help of the Nationwide Bureau of Investigation (NBI) towards a Fb account that impersonates him to promote a supposed remedy for hypertension.
David shared with Rappler on Monday, January 6, a draft of his “formal grievance towards on-line impersonation and false commercial” by the fraudulent Fb web page named “Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David.”
Written beneath the letterhead of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan, the grievance was addressed to NBI’s cybercrime division chief and initially dated December 28, 2024.
David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Convention of the Philippines, stated he’s ready to seem on the NBI to file this grievance beneath oath.
Knowledgeable of the cardinal’s concern, NBI Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lotoc advised Rappler that their company is able to conduct an intensive investigation as soon as David, 65, lodges the grievance by private look. NBI director Choose Jaime Santiago was additionally apprised of David’s concern.
David stated in his draft grievance: “The pretend account falsely claims that I suffered from an aneurysm on the age of 63 and recovered after utilizing a nontherapeutic drink referred to as ‘Cholextrol.’ The submit fraudulently portrays me as endorsing this product, which is completely unfaithful.”
He added, “Regardless of my formal report back to Fb, the submit stays lively, persevering with to mislead the general public and injury my status.”
David stated the person or group behind the fraudulent account may be held responsible for id theft, cyber libel, and using false promoting to advertise a product.
David then made the next requests to the NBI:
- “Examine the person(s) or entity liable for this pretend account and its malicious actions”
- “Coordinate with Fb to expedite the removing of the offending submit and account”
- “Pursue authorized motion towards the accountable events to forestall additional hurt to my status and the general public”
This is among the first complaints drafted by a high-ranking Catholic chief towards on-line scammers, as calls mount to carry them — and Fb — legally accountable.
Meta ‘actually a associate in crime’
Talking to Rappler on Monday, David famous that fraudulent Fb accounts have additionally been made for 3 different Filipino cardinals — Luis Antonio Tagle, Jose Advincula, and Orlando Quevedo — in addition to for the Pope’s ambassador to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown.
“1000’s have reported it to Meta, and the usual reply is that Meta can’t take them down, following its guidelines. It means they’re actually a associate in crime within the algorithm-controlled dissemination of pretend accounts, pretend information, political disinformation, and many others.,” David stated.
David recalled that he posted a hyperlink on his Fb web page “warning folks that the stated commercial was a rip-off.”
“Fb took down my submit and warned me that I used to be violating their guidelines,” stated David.
David’s workers advised him that “the one answer is to pay Fb P400 month-to-month to ensure my ‘verified account’ is the genuine one, so that each one others which are reported may be taken down.”
David voiced disbelief on the inaction not solely of Meta, but in addition of presidency companies, such because the Division of Well being, whose longtime undersecretary, Enrique “Eric” Tayag, was additionally namedropped by the Fb fraudster.
“I’m stunned that the scammer is even utilizing DOH and namedropping Dr. Eric Tayag, and even these authorities companies usually are not doing something to research these cyber criminals,” he stated.
Rappler additionally emailed Meta, the corporate that runs Fb, for its response to the cardinal’s statements, however has but to obtain a response as of posting time.
Filipino Catholic bishops and clergymen have been favourite targets of fraudulent Fb accounts.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a former president of the CBCP, has repeatedly raised the alarm on fraudulent Fb accounts utilizing his title. Rappler emailed Meta for remark about Villegas’ grievance in Could 2024, however didn’t obtain a response.
In October 2024, priest and content material creator Father Fiel Pareja, also called “Father TikTok,” flagged a fraudulent Fb account that confirmed him selling “holy water from the Vatican” to remedy most cancers and diabetes.
In October 2023, one other Fb web page falsely claimed that Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma blessed a fortunate allure referred to as “Santo Niño Hubad.”
Faux accounts have been a perennial drawback of Fb, with Rappler having reported extensively on this as early as 2016. Governments worldwide, nevertheless, have lengthy been at a loss on regulating Fb, together with its use in spreading lies on-line. – Rappler.com
