Too early to tell: Martial law survivor on Maria Ressa's 'lifting of fear' remark under Marcos Jr. admin

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22) — Martial law survivor Maria Cristina Rodriguez said Rappler CEO Maria Ressa «spoke too early» regarding the culture of fear felt under the Marcos Jr. administration.

«She might have spoken too early,» Rodriguez, also the executive director of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, told CNN Philippines'The Final Word on Thursday.

«The two girls who found out to be abducted is evidence to the fact that things are happening that we should be wary about,» she added.

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But Rodriguez said she understands where Ressa is coming from, given the outright abuses against the press and activists during the previous Duterte administration.

Ressa, after her and Rappler's acquittal with the final tax evasion case, said she saw a lifting of fear transition from the last administration (Duterte) to this administration (Marcos Jr.).

«We feel it in the public. We feel even, I supposed, among the cases [of] the journalists,» she said.

«It's certainly a very interesting time for the Philippines. I hope it isn't the calm before the storm,» the Nobel Peace Prize winner added.

READ: Maria Ressa sees ‘lifting of fear’ under Marcos admin, says acquittal ‘good sign’ for biz community

In a tweet, citing her interview with The Japan Times, Ressa said even though there had been a «lifting of fear» for journalists in the current administration, she warned that the fight for press freedom in the Philippines and globally was far from over.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in May reported 75 cases of violations against media workers since Marcos Jr. took office.

The reported cases cover the death