Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was rearrested on Friday in what globalist NGOs claimed was retaliation for her fake news site, Rappler, and its excessive criticism of the Duterte administration.

“I’m being treated like a criminal when my only crime is to be an independent journalist,” Ressa told reporters before her arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport airport, where she had just landed.

Rappler is deeply critical of Duterte’s highly effective anti-drug campaign, which it has characterized as being too brutal. 

Maria Ressa, a former CNN correspondent, is facing a plethora of charges ranging from tax evasion to libel. The latest charges against Ressa and six other directors are for her clear violations of the Securities Regulation Code of the Philippines.

The charges relate to a 2015 bond sale to foreigners. Filipino law explicitly states that the media is an economic sector reserved for Filipino citizens only and Filipino-controlled entities.

Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo debunked her claims that the arrest was politically motivated. 

“This has nothing to do with freedom of expression or the press. Regardless of who commits any crime he or she will be charged in accordance with the law.” he said. 

Along with Muslim Brotherhood goon Jamal Khashoggi, Ressa was a recipient of the TIME Person of the Year award in 2019. She has emerged as a hero for propagators of fake news worldwide who seek to undermine strong, nationalist leaders.