DOJ hits claims Ressa’s arrest an attack against press freedom

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has denied claims that the arrest of Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa is an attack against press freedom.

“Our courts have consistently ruled that libel — whether made in print or online — is speech that does not enjoy protection under our Constitution. It is the crime which Ms. Ressa alleged to have committed,” DOJ spokesperson Markk Perete said in a statement on Thursday.

“It is, therefore, irresponsible to claim that press freedom is being curtailed because Ms. Ressa was arrested and faces prosecution for libel,” he added.

The statement was issued after Ressa was arrested on Wednesday by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with a cyberlibel case.

The DOJ then said freedom of the press, as well as speech and expression, are “sacred rights which are zealously guarded by the Department.”

However, the DOJ assured that Ressa can still defend herself and “disprove the accusations against her.”

“Our laws and our courts guarantee this, in addition to other rights granted an accused — including the right to bail which Ms. Ressa could have asserted much sooner to forestall her arrest,” Perete said.

Ressa’s cyberlibel case stemmed from the complaint of businessman Wilfredo Keng, who was the subject of an article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman.”

READ: LOOK: The SUV that launched the libel suit against Rappler

The “CJ” in the article was referring to then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was then under an impeachment trial.

Keng denied the allegation and requested Rappler to remove the article from its website. However, Rappler even updated the story in 2014. /ee