Maria Ressa: No legal case can silence journalists

Rappler’s Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa. PHOTO by Cathrine Gonzales/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After her sudden arrest over a cyber libel case on Wednesday, Rappler’s chief executive officer Maria Ressa said no amount of criminal case or black propaganda could silence Filipino journalists “holding the line” against harassment.

Ressa was arrested at the Rappler office in Pasig City over a case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng, who was the subject of the news agency’s article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman” published in 2012.

The CJ being referred to in the story was former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was then under an impeachment trial.

“We are not intimidated. No amount of legal cases, black propaganda, and lies can silence Filipino journalists who continue to hold the line,” Ressa told reporters moments after her arrest.

“These legal acrobatics show how far the government will go to silence journalists, including the pettiness of forcing me to spend the night in jail,” she said.

Ressa’s lawyer, Darwin Angeles, said they would try to post bail tonight so Ressa would not have to spend the evening at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). /ee