Meta Targets Filipino Influencers for Promoting Illegal Online Gambling
Meta Removes Influencer Pages After Government Request
Following a formal request from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Facebook has taken down 20 pages belonging to popular Filipino influencers who were allegedly promoting illegal online gambling activities.
Strong Enforcement Signals More Actions Ahead
The deletions were confirmed by Digital Pinoys, a group advocating for digital rights and fintech awareness, which initially reported the influencers and urged officials to intervene.
Some of the most notable personalities affected include Sachzna Laparan with 9.7 million followers, Boy Tapang (known as Ronie Suan) boasting 5.5 million followers, actor Mark Anthony Fernandez with 242,000 followers, and Kuya Lex TV who has about 100,000 followers.
Ronald Gustilo, national campaigner for Digital Pinoys, viewed this enforcement move as a clear warning to influencers who believe they can flout gambling laws without repercussions.
“Some influencers may have felt invincible,” Gustilo remarked. “This action demonstrates our commitment, and more removals will follow.”
Although Meta has not yet released a public statement, this step aligns with its ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling and other illicit activity on social media platforms.
Gustilo emphasized that this is just the initial phase, with more flagged accounts under review by both Digital Pinoys and the CICC.
He also expressed gratitude for Facebook’s prompt action in response to their combined report, hoping that the remaining listed pages will be taken down soon.
Additionally, Gustilo praised Assistant Secretary Aboy Paraiso of the CICC for the agency’s swift and decisive response against offenders, congratulating the entire CICC team for their efforts.
Influencers Ignored Warnings and Now Face Consequences
According to Gustilo, the influencers were given sufficient time to stop promoting illegal gambling but chose not to comply.
“They were given ample opportunity to rectify their behavior but gambled with the law and are now facing the consequences,” he stated.
Both the CICC and Digital Pinoys highlighted that the crackdown on illegal gambling content is ongoing, and additional influencer accounts are expected to be removed from Facebook in the near future.
In a recent press briefing, the CICC also raised concerns about the rise of unregulated gaming sites aggressively targeting Filipinos through influencers, digital wallets, and targeted advertising, including encouragement of minors to participate.
Deputy Executive Director Renato Paraiso from the CICC warned about the risks these operators pose by exploiting and deceiving vulnerable users.
Last October, a similar crackdown took place in India, where influencers promoting illegal gambling were also targeted in government efforts to curb the black market activities.