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PHILIPPINES- COURT
Philippine journalist Maria Ressa freed on bail: court
MANILA, Feb 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Philippine journalist Maria Ressa was
freed on bail on Thursday following an arrest that sparked international
censure and allegations she is being targeted over her news site’s criticism
of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ressa stepped out of a Manila court where she posted bail after spending the
night in detention at the National Bureau of Investigation, whose agents
arrested her Wednesday on a “cyber libel” charge that carries a penalty of 12
years behind bars.
“You are hereby directed to discharge from your custody the person of
Maria Angelita Ressa,” the court said in a written order to investigators.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1038 hrs