Philippine Journalist Found Guilty of Terrorism Financing
A court in Tacloban City, Philippines, convicted journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights worker Marielle Domequil on charges of financing terrorism. The verdict, although welcomed by anti-communist insurgency officials, has been criticized by press freedom advocates.
Judge Georgina Perez handed down sentences ranging from 12 to 18 years for the two, who have been detained for nearly six years. However, they were cleared of separate charges related to illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as confirmed by court officials.
The convictions are based on allegations that Cumpio and Domequil provided support to the New People’s Army communist insurgents in Samar province in 2019. The arrests in February 2020 originally included charges of possessing a gun and a grenade.
Both individuals have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Activists argue that the charges against 26-year-old Cumpio reflect broader dangers journalists face in the Philippines, known as one of the world’s most perilous countries for reporters.
Organizations like Reporters Without Borders have labeled the convictions as a “clear miscarriage of justice,” pointing to their own investigation which suggests the charges were fabricated. Aleksandra Bielakowska, the advocacy manager at Reporters Without Borders, criticized the verdict, stating it signifies a “devastating failure” of the Philippine justice system.
The group emphasized that the Philippines should exemplify the protection of media rights, rather than prosecuting journalists for their work. Cumpio, at the time of her arrest, was an executive director of a news website and a radio anchor reporting on local issues, including allegations of police misconduct.
Cristina Palabay from the human rights coalition Karapatan noted that the dismissal of firearm and explosives possession charges indicates initial accusations were fabricated. However, she criticized the use of similar evidence in the terrorism financing conviction.
Concerns have also been raised by Irene Khan, U.N. special rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression, regarding Cumpio’s arrest following alleged harassment and surveillance. She suggested the charges were retaliatory for her journalistic activities.
The Philippine government task force on communist insurgency countered the criticisms, stating, “They were convicted for financing a terrorist organization — plain and simple,” according to undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. He urged critics to appeal the ruling rather than resort to international propaganda or questioning the justice system’s legitimacy.
