Philippine journalist Maria Ressa (2nd R), is escorted by police after an arrest warrant was served, shortly after arriving at the international airport in Manila on March 29, 2019. (Photo by STR / AFP)
(UPDATE)
MANILA, Philippines — Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) shortly after arriving Friday morning.
The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Acerey Pacheco of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265, as seen in a Facebook livestream of the news website Rappler.
Prior to landing, Ressa said in a tweet that she will be posting bail: “Landing in a short while to face my latest arrest warrant and the 7th time I will post bail.”
“#HoldTheLine we pledge to not just hold power to account but I will mark every violation of my rights under the PH Constition (like harassment cases to try to intimidate @rapplerdotcom!),” she added.
Landing in a short while to face my latest arrest warrant and the 7th time I will post bail. #HoldTheLine we pledge to not just hold power to account but I will mark every violation of my rights under the PH Constition (like harassment cases to try to intimidate @rapplerdotcom!) https://t.co/4rjLRwapZ2
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) March 28, 2019
In a separate tweet, Ressa said: “Seriously?!?! Imagine the tax pesos wasted. #HOLDTHELINE.”
Seriously?!?! Imagine the tax pesos wasted. #HOLDTHELINE pic.twitter.com/Vwh9tT8LLD
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) March 28, 2019
“Will they actually arrest me again?! @rapplerdotcom this is insane. Such violations of the Bill of Rights and the PH Constitution,” she further said.
Will they actually arrest me again?! @rapplerdotcom this is insane. Such violations of the Bill of Rights and the PH Constitution.
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) March 28, 2019
Ressa and other Rappler executives Manuel Ayala, Nico Jose Nolledo, Glenda Gloria, James Bitangca, Felicia Atienza and James Velasquez were charged by the Pasig City prosecutors over an alleged violation of the Anti-Dummy Law and the Securities Regulations Code (SRC).
READ: Rappler sued for violating anti-dummy law in Pasig court
Rappler has been under fire for allegedly violating the Constitution’s requirement on foreign ownership.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revoked Rappler’s license to operate for violating the constitutional cap on foreign ownership.
READ: SEC orders Rappler to shut down
Ressa was arrested last month over a cyberlibel case and spent the night at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office.
READ: Rappler’s Maria Ressa arrested for cyberlibel
Ressa then posted a P100,000 bail before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 for the cyberlibel case. /muf
READ: Ressa posts bail for cyberlibel charge