Andanar rebuts Ressa

he Philippines’ media environment is very much vibrant and alive, according to Andanar. #MartinAndanar

Sec. Andanar: The case of Rappler and Ms. Ressa is not an issue of freedom of the press but violations of Philippine laws.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday belied accusations by Rappler CEO Maria Ressa that she is under attack from the government and the Philippines’ press landscape is worse than any warzone.

In a statement, Andanar clarified that Ressa’s arrest was due to her being “under investigation” for alleged criminal liabilities “from which no one, not even members of the press and media, are exempt.”

The PCOO Secretary was referring to the cases filed against Ressa and her online news website Rappler for violation of the Anti-Dummy Law, tax evasion and a cyber-libel complaint from a private individual.

In Ressa’s 60 Minutes interview with CBS last 10 November, she claimed her arrest was meant to “pound her into silence.”

Andanar said, “…the case for Rappler and Ms. Ressa’s is not an issue involving the freedom of the press. Rather, this is an issue involving several violations of Philippine laws which were only acted upon by respective government agencies in fulfillment of their mandate.”

He added, “The actual environment for journalists as perceived by Ms. Ressa is neither accurate nor reflective of the actual environment for journalists in the Philippines.”

“The Philippines’ media environment is very much vibrant and alive. Barrages of criticisms from all sectors of the media are welcomed and encouraged by the Duterte Administration,” according to Andanar.

Andanar also denied that the Duterte Administration employs social media ‘trolls’ to spread misleading information about Ressa and Rappler. He said the two allegations are both baseless in source and unproven in fact.

“Ironically, Rappler and Ms. Ressa herself have been alleged to be the purveyors of fake (false) news,” said Andanar.