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US ambassador to PH expresses concern over Maria Ressa verdict

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/17/20200615-maria-ressa-guilty-verdict-jvc-0304.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Rappler CEO and journalist Maria Ressa speaks during a press conference after receiving a guilty verdict on cyber libel by the Manila Regional Trial Court on June 15, 2020. <em>Jire Carreon, ABS-CBN News/file photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE) </strong>- US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Wednesday expressed concern over the guilty verdict against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former writer-researcher Reynaldo Santos over a cyber libel case.</p><p>In a tweet, Kim called for a resolution of the case in a manner &quot;that reinforces the U.S. and Philippines’ shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for members of the press.&quot;</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are very concerned by the verdict against Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos and call for resolution of the case in a way that reinforces the U.S. and Philippines’ shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for members of the press.</p>— Ambassador Sung Kim (@USAmbManila) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbManila/status/1273153755941351424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>Kim&#x27;s statement echoed that of the US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/17/20/us-state-dept-eu-express-concern-on-maria-ressas-cyber-libel-verdict">US State Dept, EU express concern on Maria Ressa&#x27;s cyber libel verdict</a></li></ul><p>A Manila court on Monday sentenced Ressa and Santos to at least 6 months and up to 6 years in prison over a 2012 story that linked a businessman Wilfredo Keng to alleged illegal activities.</p><p>News website Rappler and Ressa are also facing charges of tax fraud, violation of the Securities Regulation Code and the Anti-Dummy Law among others.</p><p>Ressa is a dual citizen of the United States and the Philippines.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Philippine Center of the International PEN also expressed concern over Ressa and Santos&#x27; conviction.</p><p>&quot;This is a conviction of an independent and vigilant press that holds our leaders accountable to the Filipino people they have sworn to serve when they took their oath on the Constitution,&quot; it said in a statement posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/philippine.pen/posts/3416843355014916?__tn__=-R">Facebook</a>.</p><p>&quot;During these critical times, it is urgent that a free and critical press is able to speak to power to ensure efficient and inclusive delivery of the badly needed health, economic and social services that all Filipinos deserve,&quot; it added.</p>

<p>US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Wednesday expressed concern over the guilty verdict against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former writer-researcher Reynaldo Santos over a cyber libel case.</p>

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Wednesday expressed concern over the guilty verdict against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former writer-researcher Reynaldo Santos over a cyber libel case.