NPC: Ressa arrest ‘smacks of bad taste,’ but not harassment

The National Press Club (NPC) expressed dismay over the timing of the arrest of journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa but claimed the incident was neither "political harassment" nor a reason to elevate her into "martyrdom."

The NPC was referring to Ressa’s February 13 arrest in connection with the cybel libel case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng against Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos for the story “CJ using SUVs of ‘controversial’ businessmen” linking Keng to human trafficking and drug smuggling back in May 2012.

Ressa has denied the charge, saying that the story published Keng’s side and the case was filed beyond the one-year prescriptive period, among others.

“While the NPC recognizes that the serving of the warrant is part of the judicial process, it smacks of bad taste since. They could have served the warrant earlier if they wanted to,” the NPC said.

Ressa’s warrant of arrest was served around 5 p.m. or beyond the court’s office hours, while the National Bureau of Investigation agents were filmed making threats to Rappler staff members, saying that they would be next in line if they do not stop filming Ressa’s arrest.

The NPC then called on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to review the NPC-DILG memorandum of agreement (MOA) inked in 2001 which ensures that no journalist will be arrested for libel beyond office hours and in a situation when journalists cannot avail themselves of legal remedy.

Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya of the DILG confirmed such MOA, and expressed willingness to review the pact to expand its coverage.

“We are open to reviewing it because as it is, it only covers NPC members,” Malaya said.

The NPC, however, argued that Ressa’s arrest was not a political harassment made by the Duterte administration but a case of another day in the office for a journalist.

"Despite the manner by which Ms. Ressa was arrested however, the NPC takes exemption [sic] to the position by some quarters that the incident is another act of political harassment by the government against its critics," the group said.

“For many of us, to be sued for libel is among the risks we face in the performance of our duty. Ms. Ressa’s experience has been the experience of many in media profession. It can be a great inconvenience, but not something that should [elevate] someone to the altar of press freedom for martyrdom... Ordinaryo lang iyan,” the NPC added.

Ressa is out of prison after she was able to pay a bail worth P100,000. She has posted over P340,000 worth of bail in the last two months over alleged tax evasion cases in her capacity as Rappler CEO and the cyber libel case. — MDM, GMA News