DOJ to look into NBI agent's alleged intimidation of reporter

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice said it will look into the allegations that National Bureau of Investigation agents stopped a reporter of online news site Rappler from recording their service of a warrant of arrest against its CEO Maria Ressa.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete told CNN Philippines in a TV interview that the DOJ is inclined to look into the allegation of journalist Aika Rey that she was barred from taking a video.

Rey also said that she was later warned by the same officer that she “would be next.”

RELATED: 'Not illegal' for media to record arrests, Justice chief says | WATCH: Unidentified man keeps Rappler reporter from recording service of warrant vs Ressa

Perete, for his part, explained: “We’d want to see the context if the context was the...certain acts may impede the service of the warrant, then it may be justified, but if there are no such circumstances it may not be justified.”

He said it would be reckless for him to conclude on the matter without looking into it.

Justice chief Menardo Guevarra earlier said that it is not illegal for journalists to document the act of serving a warrant, but they “should given enough space to our law enforcers so that they could perform their duties without any unnecessary obstruction or interference.”

READ: 'Not illegal' for media to record arrests, Justice chief says

The National Bureau of Investigation, however, said that there is “no logic” in claims that their agent intimidated a reporter, pointing out that Ressa herself said that the agents were courteous to her.

In an afternoon press conference, NBI Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo said that there is “no purpose” for their agents to intimidate the reporters. He added that the reporters were able to post live stream videos during the service of warrant.              

RELATED: A look at the cyber libel charge vs Rappler, Maria Ressa

Attack on press freedom?

Ressa, meanwhile, stressed that she could hold Guevarra accountable for violating her rights. She also stressed that the Justice chief’s actions could create ripple effects on society.

The online news site's CEO posted bail at the amount of P100,000 over the cyber libel charge in a Manila court.

A defiant Ressa, who repeatedly said that the cases against her and her company are a “persecution” by the government and an attack against press freedom, also said that she would not duck and hide.

Guevarra, however, assured Ressa would be accorded of her constitutional and legal rights.

“I trust that the court will give her a fair trial, based solely on the facts and the law, and not on arguents ad hominem and emotional rhetorics,” Guevarra added in a message to reporters.

Perete, in a separate statement, denied that the case against Ressa is an attack against press freedom as the Rappler CEO is facing prosecution for libel.

“Certainly, the freedoms of the press, of speech and of expression, do not give any person—whether a journalist, a blogger, or any person of whatever occupation—the license to engage in libel,” Perete added.

He also said that Ress would be given full opportunity to defend herself in court.