Local and international groups have condemned the conviction of 26-year-old community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio for terrorism financing, stating it sends a chilling message to media workers, activists, and ordinary citizens in the Philippines.
On January 21, 2026, press freedom advocates, rights defenders, and church workers gathered in front of the Department of Justice to protest and demand the acquittal of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay church worker Marielle Domequil, as well as the dismissal of charges against the 'Tacloban 5'.
Cumpio and Domequil, who have been imprisoned for nearly six years, were acquitted in a separate case involving illegal possession of firearms and explosives. However, following the terrorism financing conviction, they now face 12 to 18 years in prison.
Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, called the court ruling absurd and described President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s promises on press freedom as empty talk. 'The Philippines must free Frenchie Mae Cumpio without conditions and stop criminalizing journalists,' she said on Thursday.
Altermidya labeled the conviction a miscarriage of justice, citing fabricated charges. 'It deepens the climate of impunity in the country and sends a chilling message to journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens that free expression comes at a heavy cost,' the group stated.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described Cumpio's conviction as a devastating failure of the Philippine justice system and a blatant disregard for press freedom. The organization noted that three of its investigations presented in court clearly showed the case was fabricated. 'The Philippines should serve as an international example of protecting media freedom—not a perpetrator that red-tags, prosecutes, and imprisons journalists simply for doing their work,' RSF added, renewing its call for President Marcos to immediately release Cumpio.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called the ruling a partial victory and a promise to keep fighting. Cumpio's case has been emblematic of the challenged state of press freedom and broader freedom of speech and expression in the Philippines.
Women's rights group Gabriela vowed to continue supporting Cumpio and Domequil in their appeal. 'We do not accept this verdict. We will continue to rally behind Frenchie and Maye as they appeal this injustice. History will eventually absolve them, while those who planted the evidence and those who penned this injustice will be held to account by the people,' said Cora Agovida, Gabriela's deputy secretary.
Cumpio served as executive director of Eastern Vista and was known for covering farmer killings and land-grabbing in Leyte's neighboring provinces. Domequil was a member of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines and advocated for farmers' and peasant workers' rights in Eastern Visayas.