Trillanes on Ressa conviction: We’re a few steps away from martial law

Will President Duterte declare martial law soon?

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is worried that martial law will be declared in the country following the conviction of Rappler boss Maria Ressa for cyber libel.

Trillanes said the conviction of Ressa is a blatant attack on the country’s democracy, not just on press freedom.

A Manila court has sentenced Ressa and writer Reynaldo Santos Jr to six months up to six years in jail based on a cyber libel complaint filed by a businessman.

“More than the obvious attack against the freedom of the press, Maria Ressa’s conviction 4 cyberlibel is an attack against our democracy itself. We’re now but a few steps away frm Martial Law,” the former
senator tweeted.

Trillanes, a known critic of the Duterte administration, said it was time to speak out before the nation loses its freedom.

“Panahon na para mgsalita at mgsama-sama bago pa mawala nang tuluyan ang ating kalayaan,” he said.

Earlier, Rappler denounced the conviction of Ressa as a failure of justice and democracy. The online site issued a statement cautioning the latest court ruling is a dangerous precedent for journalists and
netizens after the liability period for cyber libel cases was extended from one to 12 years.

“Today’s verdict sets a dangerous precedent not only for journalists but for everyone online. It weakens the ability of journalists to hold power to account as the one-year prescription period of libel is
extended to 12 years,” Rappler said.

It also said Ressa’s conviction marked “diminished freedom and more threats to democratic rights supposedly guarantee by the Philippine Constitution especially in the context of a looming anti=terrorism.”

The legal camp of Ressa is reportedly planning its next course of action following the court ruling.

More than the obvious attack against the freedom of the press, Maria Ressa's conviction 4 cyberlibel is an attack against our democracy itself. We're now but a few steps away frm Martial Law.

Panahon na para mgsalita at mgsama-sama bago pa mawala nang tuluyan ang ating kalayaan.

— Sonny Trillanes IV (@TrillanesSonny) June 15, 2020

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)