Canada reiterates call for due process after Rappler CEO arrest
MANILA, Philippines — Chrystia Freeland of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada has reiterated Canada’s call for due process to be respected following Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa’s arrest over cyberlibel.
“A free press is a bedrock of democracy. Canada reiterates its call for due process to be respected and for journalists to be free from harassment and intimidation. #StandWithMariaRessa,” Freeland said in a tweet on Thursday.
Deeply troubled by reports that has been arrested in the . A free press is a bedrock of democracy. Canada reiterates its call for due process to be respected and for journalists to be free from harassment and intimidation.
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland)
Ressa was arrested on Wednesday by virtue of an arrest warrant for cyberlibel in connection with a complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.
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Ressa posted a P100,000 bail at the Manila Trial Court Branch 46 for her liberty.
Article continues after this advertisementFreeland said they are “deeply troubled” by Ressa’s arrest.
Article continues after this advertisement“Deeply troubled by reports that @mariaressa has been arrested in the #Philippines,” she said.
Ressa’s libel case stemmed from Keng’s complaint against a 2012 Rappler article titled, “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman,” which claimed that then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was then under an impeachment trial, used a car owned by Keng.
Keng denied the accusation and ordered Rappler to take down the article, but the article remained online and was even updated on February 19, 2014. /ee
