After Maria Ressa Conviction, Trillanes Says “We’re Few Steps Away From Martial Law”
MARIA RESSA – Former Senator Antonio Trillanes said “we’re few steps away from Martial Law” following the conviction of Maria Ressa.
Following a previous article, the Manila trial Court finally released the decision on the libel case against Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa and former writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. on Monday, June 15. In 2017, Filipino-Chinese businessman Wilfredo Keng filed a cyber libel case against the journalist and the writer over a 2012 article on Rappler.
The writer claimed that Keng lent his sports utility vehicle to Chief Justice Renato Corona. It also tagged him in human trafficking and drug smuggling activities.
Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa found Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The journalists were sentenced up to 6 years but were not taken into custody. They are allowed to post bail.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros reacted following Maria Ressa’s guilty verdict. In her statement, she said the government is going after journalists who speak the truth. She also urged the Filipinos to speak out.
READ ALSO: Ressa Guilty Verdict: Palace Releases Statement
Recently, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also released a statement following the verdict. In a Facebook post, the known critic of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said the conviction of Rappler’s boss is a blatant attack on the Philippines’ democracy.
“More than the obvious attack against the freedom of the press, Maria Ressa’s conviction for cyberlibel is an attack against our democracy itself. We are now but a few steps away from Martial Law,” he said.
Antonio Trillanes IV said now is the time to speak out before all Filipinos lose its freedom. “Panahon na para magsalita at magsama-sama bago pa mawala nang tuluyan ang ating kalayaan,” he said.
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