MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Rappler’s chief executive officer Maria Ressa yesterday afternoon for alleged cyber libel in relation to an article that was published in the online news outfit in 2012.
NBI personnel in civilian clothes served the arrest warrant, which was issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 on Tuesday, at around 5 p.m. at Rappler’s office in Ortigas.
Ressa was convoyed to her temporary detention at NBI office in Ermita, Manila at around 6 p.m. She is expected to post her bail for temporary liberty on Thursday morning.
“I will do the right thing. I will keep going,” Ressa told reporters following her arrest.
The issuance of arrest warrant against Ressa came after she was indicted by the Department of Justice earlier this month for a “clearly defamatory” article that was published in 2012.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng in relation to an article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman” during the impeachment trial of former chief justice Renato Corona.
Based on the news report of former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr., Keng has allegedly lend his black Chevrolet Suburban to Corona, who was then facing an impeachment complaint.
Rappler reported that the SUV, which bore the plate number ZWK 111, was registered under Keng at the Land Transportation Office. While Keng admitted ZWK 111 was his, he said that he doesn’t own the SUV Corona had been using.
Aside from the cyber libel case, Ressa is also facing tax-related cases before the Court of Tax Appeals and the Pasig Regional Trial Court./PN
