Cumpio case decision set Thursday; groups renew call for journo's release

Protesters call for release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, others

Activist groups on Wednesday marched to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila City to call for the release of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and other activists who were arrested almost six years ago, according to Bayan Muna.

International media groups back call to free detained journalist

International press freedom organizations yesterday reiterated the call for the release of detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, days before the scheduled promulgation of judgment on the charges filed against her.

Cumpio case decision set Thursday; groups renew call for journo's release

MANILA, Philippines—Media groups on Tuesday renewed their call for the release of Tacloban-based community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, whose freedom may finally come on Thursday after being detained for nearly six years over charges of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. “There is little more to be said beyond what the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the media community have been saying…

Court set to rule on Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s cases after nearly 6 years

CEBU, Philippines – The day for the promulgation of the terror financing and illegal possession of firearms and explosives cases against detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil is set for Thursday, January 22, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said on Tuesday, January 20. This comes six years after Cumpio, Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna were arrested on February 7, 2020, at the o…

No other cases to prolong journalist’s detention

Cumpio’s conviction would set a dangerous precedent for journalists speaking truth to power. CAGAYAN DE ORO — Two days before the promulgation, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said that no other criminal charges are being filed against detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio that may prolong her detention at the Tacloban City Jail. Lawyer Josalee Deinla, NUPL secretary-general, said that the earliest time for Cumpio to be …

Global media watchdogs: Frenchie Mae a test case for Philippines’ press freedom

Press freedom advocates warned that the prolonged detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio reflects a broader pattern of legal repression in the Philippines, as a Tacloban court prepares to issue a verdict in her case on Jan. 22. The warning was raised during a media briefing at the University of the Philippines, nearly six years after Cumpio and Catholic lay worker Marielle Domequil were arrested during a February 2020 raid in Tacl…