A Filipino journalist pushes back against red-tagging and disinformation by taking on Meta

December 13, 2025

Philippine journalist Leonardo Vicente "Cong" Corrales has been systematically targeted through "red-tagging," a dangerous practice of falsely linking individuals to communist terrorist groups, after reporting on Indigenous peoples' struggles and other sensitive topics. Between 2019 and 2023, anonymous social media accounts repeatedly posted defamatory content labeling him as a communist rebel, doxxed his personal information, and even placed funeral wreaths bearing his name at his workplace. When Meta refused to reveal the identities behind these threatening accounts without legal compulsion, Corrales filed a complaint with the National Privacy Commission, backed by journalism unions and anti-disinformation lawyers.

Who is affected

Leonardo Vicente "Cong" Corrales (journalist and primary target)
The Higaonon Indigenous group in Mindanao
Professional journalists in the Philippines (particularly those red-tagged between 2016-2024)
Other journalists named on funeral wreaths alongside Corrales
ABS-CBN media broadcaster and its supporters
Critics, scholars, opposition figures, and human rights defenders targeted during Duterte's presidency
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) members
Internet users in the Philippines more broadly
Movement Against Disinformation volunteer lawyers

What action is being taken

Corrales and his legal team are pursuing the identities of approximately 30 social media accounts responsible for red-tagging, having already obtained information on at least 10 accounts
Meta has taken down some of the red-tagging posts against Corrales
The National Privacy Commission is facilitating arbitration between Corrales and Meta
Corrales is being backed by NUJP and volunteer lawyers from the Movement Against Disinformation in ongoing litigation

Why it matters

This case represents a critical test of whether social media platforms can be held accountable for enabling coordinated harassment campaigns against journalists and human rights defenders. Red-tagging in the Philippines is not merely online harassment but a documented precursor to violence, with a 2024 Supreme Court ruling recognizing it as a threat to life and liberty. The legal victory compelling Meta to reveal account identities sets an important precedent for forcing tech platforms to take responsibility for content that endangers users, particularly when 60 percent of such attacks originate from state forces. This case demonstrates that platforms are "no longer just neutral bulletin boards" but active participants in shaping public discourse, and their algorithms can amplify dangerous narratives that put lives at risk. By achieving accountability through legal action, Corrales's case creates a pathway for systemic change in how platforms handle state-sponsored disinformation campaigns targeting press freedom and democracy.

What's next

Corrales and his lawyers plan to continue pursuing accountability and justice using the newly obtained account identity information
Corrales advocates for government officials to provide clear, unequivocal condemnation of red-tagging
He calls for swift investigation and prosecution of individuals spreading disinformation and inciting violence against journalists
He urges Meta and other platforms to implement stricter, more transparent content moderation policies for state-sponsored disinformation campaigns
He recommends platforms invest in local teams with deep understanding of the Philippines' sociopolitical context
He emphasizes the need for platforms to be more responsive to user reports of threats, hate speech, harassment, and disinformation from state-affiliated sources

Read full article from source: Global Voices