In line with the recent arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, the Philippine Student Councils, a coalition of student councils from various institutions around the country, released a joint statement through their social media accounts last February 19 that condemned the continuing attacks on press freedom of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

“This politically motivated attack against one of the President’s most vocal and popular critics is an assault to our constitutional rights to freedom of expression and the press. It is also a blatant demonstration of how our justice system is manipulated by selfish politicians to silence the opposition and preserve themselves in power,” the statement read.

They further pointed out that the continuing attacks on the media and the journalists manifest the mocking of democracy, in which they further stressed out for the Filipinos not to be in fear especially “in these difficult times.”

“We call on our constituents and the Filipino people to continue standing up for our rights and strengthen against dictatorship and systemic oppression. In this time of trepidation, we must unite ourselves and continue fighting for justice and genuine freedom.”

The affiliated student boards under the Philippine Student Councils include: Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Schools (ADMU LS) Sanggunian, Ateneo de Manila University Senior High School (ADMU SHS) Sanggunian, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman University Student Council, Far Eastern University (FEU) Central Student Organization, Ateneo de Naga Student Supreme Government (SSG), Ateneo de Naga SHS Student Council, UP Manila University Student Council, UP Cebu University Student Council, University of Nueva Caceres University Student Government, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral, UP Office of the Student Regent, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Central Student Government.