Robredo: Ressa’s arrest ‘a big blow to press freedom’

Vice President Leni Robredo. (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

CAMARINES SUR, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday slammed as “a big blow to press freedom” the arrest of Rappler’s chief executive Maria Ressa over a cyberlibel case.

“Nakakalungkot kasi ito. Iisa na namang yugto na nagpapakita sa atin kung gaano iniipit iyong mga naglalakas-loob na makapagsalita laban sa mga polisiya ng administrasyon. Ito, napakalaking… napakalaking dagok sa press freedom,” Robredo told reporters after the Otso Diretso proclamation rally here in Naga City.

[This is saddening. It’s another instance that shows us how those who dare to speak against the policies of this administration are pushed into a corner. This is a big blow to press freedom.]

The second-highest official of the country also lamented how Ressa’s arrest could serve as a “warning” against anyone who would attempt to oppose the Duterte administration.

Rappler and Ressa have been critical of the Duterte administration and its controversial policies.

She was arrested at around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

READ: Court orders arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

The Department of Justice had earlier green-lighted the filing of cyberlibel case against Ressa in relation to the complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

Keng was the subject of a Rappler article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman.” The “CJ” here referred to then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was under an impeachment trial at that time.

Keng denied the article and compelled the online news site to take it down.

But Ressa argued that she could not be accused of cyberlibel because the Cybercrime Act was not yet in effect when the story was published on May 29, 2012.

The Cybercrime Act was enacted into law on Sept. 12, 2012, and took effect only on Oct. 3, 2012. /atm