TACLOBAN, Philippines – As detained Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio concluded her testimony against terrorism financing allegations on Monday, March 24, international media groups called for her immediate and unconditional release.
In a unified statement from the Reporters without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Altermidya, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the press freedom organizations raised concern over what they described as an “unjustifiably long” pretrial detention.
Cumpio, along with Marielle Domequil and Alexander Abinguna, have been imprisoned for five years following their arrest in February 2020, initially charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Justice must take immediate action to end the journalist’s prolonged detention and have the charges against her dropped,” the statement read.
Lawyer Jun Oliva of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said Cumpio completed her testimony before the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Tacloban City. The journalist’s next hearing is scheduled for April 14 with Domequil as the next witness to the stand.
Oliva said that the defense was preparing for the inclusion of previously excluded evidence and testimonies, hoping these would be considered during any potential appeals.
NUJP Chairperson Jonathan de Santos, who flew from Manila, attended the hearing of Cumpio recounted his observations inside the court room and what struck him was the thickness of the case records.
“Striking na napansin ko kanina ang kapal na nang records na talaga, during re-cross or cross examination naghahanapan talaga ng dokumento at makikita mo nga na parang ilang libro na yun apat, lima, which shows na ang haba na talaga ng daloy ng kaso,” De Santos said.
(I noticed earlier how thick the records are. During re-cross or cross examination, they were actually looking for documents and you could see that there were like four, five books, which shows how long the case has been going on)
For the NUJP chairperson, Cumpio’s situation serves as an “emblematic case” for the misuse of laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act against activists, civil society organizations, and rights defenders.
“[Frenchie’s detention sends a message to other journalists in the Philippines that journalists can pay a high price just by speaking truth to power,” FPU Research Coordinator Jos Bartman said.
“Numerous stories of poverty, human rights violations, and aspirations of marginalized communities continue to be untold because journalists like Frenchie Mae are forced to be silent,” AlterMidya News Director Rhea Padilla also said.
“Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s case is emblematic of the criminalization of journalists worldwide—punished for daring to report the truth…The Philippine government can — and must — end this grotesque injustice without further delay,” Beh Lih Yi, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator, added.
The press freedom advocates and groups expressed hope for a favorable resolution of the case. – with reports from John Sitchon/Rappler.com