Urgent Action: Journalist harassed to silence dissent

Maria Ressa, executive editor of online news outlet Rappler and press freedom advocate, was arrested.

Maria Ressa, executive editor of online news outlet Rappler and press freedom advocate, was arrested on 13 February 2019 over politically motivated “cyber-libel” charges (online defamation). She was held overnight and then released after posting PhP100,000 (approx. USD2,000) in bail. Rappler has been a consistent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration, and Maria Ressa’s arrest appears to be part of broader campaign to silence critics of the government.

Take action.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 29 MARCH 2019

Please write urgently in your own words or using the template letter included in English to:

Secretary

Menardo I. Guevarra

Department of Justice

DOJ Building, Padre Faura Street, Ermita,

Manila, 1000, Philippines

Phone: (+632) 523 8482 to 98

Email: [email protected]

Salutation: Dear Secretary

And copies to:

Director

Dante Gierran 

National Bureau of Investigation 

NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita 

Manila, Philippines 1000 

[email protected]

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

HIS EXCELLENCY MR ANTONIO MANUEL LAGDAMEO Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines 

6-11 Suffolk Street SW1Y 4HG Tel: 020 7451 1780 Fax: 020 7930 9787 [email protected] 

philembassy-uk.org

Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.