The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) expressed strong concern over the viral content created by digital personality Setzu, which prominently features Boss Atan, an individual living with Crouzon syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones.
The Council noted that several uploaded video clips depict Boss Atan in situations involving physical harm, degradation, and violence, staged primarily to generate social media views, reactions, and shares.
The agency stated that the portrayal of harmful or violent scenarios is particularly troubling given that sports, especially basketball, are a source of inspiration and pride for Filipino youth. Content that normalizes or sensationalizes such behavior does not foster sportsmanship; instead, it sends a damaging message to young audiences.
The NCDA emphasized that capitalizing on an individual’s medical condition or physical appearance to boost revenue or profit strips away their dignity and reinforces harmful stereotypes against persons with disabilities.
Persons with disabilities deserve respect, protection, and equal treatment in society, not online bullying, dangerous pranks, or exploitation in the name of entertainment. Using a person’s rare medical condition solely to drive social media metrics violates their fundamental rights and dignity.
The agency reminded content creators and social media influencers that disability vilification and public ridicule carry strict legal penalties under Philippine law. Under Republic Act No. 9442, which amended the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act No. 7277), public ridicule and vilification directed at persons with disabilities are strictly prohibited and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
Disability vilification includes utterances, actions, or media portrayals intended to demean, intimidate, or insult an individual on the basis of their disability.
The NCDA urged netizens and online content consumers to practice digital responsibility by refusing to like, share, or engage with media that exploits vulnerable individuals.