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 @mariaressa has been arrested in the #Philippines. 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

— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) February 14, 2019

Ressa was arrested on Wednesday by virtue of an arrest warrant for cyberlibel in connection with a complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

READ: Rappler CEO arrested; no bail recommended

Ressa posted a P100,000 bail at the Manila Trial Court Branch 46 for her liberty.

Freeland said they are “deeply troubled” by Ressa’s arrest.

“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