Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 9) — Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and a team of international counsels are working closely with the local team of Filipino journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on the slew of cases she faces.

Clooney will be working with Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, her co-barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. The two lawyers who specialize in human rights and international law will lead the international team comprised of Can Yeginsu, Katherine O’Byrne, former US Ambassador Daniel Feldman from law firm Covington & Burling LLP, Doughty Street Chambers said on Monday.

Clooney explained why she decided to take on Ressa's case.

"Maria Ressa is a courageous journalist who is being persecuted for reporting the news and standing up to human rights abuses," she said.

Clooney added, "We will pursue all available legal remedies to vindicate her rights and defend press freedom and the rule of law in the Philippines."

Clooney has previously represented Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were jailed in Myanmar under the country's Official Secrets Act for reporting on a massacre of Rohingya civilians. The Pulitzer Prize-winning pair were released in May.

Since 2018, Ressa and Rappler staff are facing a total of 11 charges, which many rights advocates attribute to the online news site's critical reportage on President Rodrigo Duterte. The veteran journalist was charged with violating laws related to securities fraud in March. She was also arrested in February for cyber libel charges.