Press Release
December 3, 2018

DUTERTE IS IMPLEMENTING A "HARASS THE DISSENTERS,
PROTECT THE PLUNDERERS" POLICY

*Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on the arrest warrant issued against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

The issuance of a warrant of arrest against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is yet another attempt by the Duterte government not only to silence dissent, but also to muzzle the media into fear. In his attempt to be a full fledged authoritarian, President Duterte wants to control the free flow of information and neutralize a potential channel of criticism.

The Duterte administration is implementing a "harass the dissenters, protect the plunderers" policy. The Duterte government exerts ridiculous efforts to legally intimidate and even jail political dissenters while giving preferential treatment to the likes of Imelda Marcos, even going so far as to mask it as due process and compassion. Mabagsik sa media at oposisyon, pero maamong tuta naman sa mga mandarambong.

I call on the members of the free press and the public to close ranks in defending the rights of Ms. Ressa. Now more than ever, we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated into silence.

News Latest News Feed