Frenchie Mae Cumpio's 5-year detention sparks international outcry
MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of international and local media organizations has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Filipino community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained for more than five years.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, AlterMidya, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Free Press Unlimited jointly urged the Philippine government to drop the charges against her and end her prolonged detention.
“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,” their statement read.
The call comes after Cumpio testified before a Tacloban Regional Trial Court on March 24 regarding charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as terrorism financing.
Beh Lih Yi, Asia Program Coordinator for CPJ, criticized Cumpio’s detention as "indefensible and inhumane," asserting that her case highlights the global trend of criminalizing journalists.
“Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s case is emblematic of the criminalization of journalists worldwide — punished for daring to report the truth,” Yi said.
Aleksandra Bielakowska, advocacy manager for RSF’s Asia Pacific Bureau, described Cumpio as a courageous journalist targeted with "bogus charges" meant to intimidate her and silence others.
“Her prolonged detention on bogus charges is merely a ploy to intimidate her and deter fellow journalists from reporting on topics of public interest,” Bielakowska said.
Background of the case. Cumpio was arrested alongside human rights advocates Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna on Feb. 7, 2020, during raids on what authorities alleged were communist safe houses.
They were charged with possessing illegal firearms and explosives, while the Anti-Money Laundering Council accused them of terrorism financing, claiming that P557,360 found during the raid was intended to fund the New People's Army.
What's next. The next court hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2025, where Domequil is set to testify alongside two additional witnesses. If convicted, Cumpio and her co-defendants could face up to 40 years in prison.
Press freedom concerns. Jos Bartman, research Coordinator for Free Press Unlimited, warned that Cumpio’s detention sends a chilling message to other journalists in the Philippines.
“It sends a message that journalists can pay a high price just by speaking truth to power,” Bartman said.
He stressed that such attacks not only harm individual journalists but also undermine public access to reliable information.
“Without journalists like Frenchie Mae being able to do their job, people cannot fully exercise their democratic rights,” he added.
In February 2024, UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan criticized the lack of systemic protections for journalists in the Philippines. She called for institutionalized mechanisms to safeguard media practitioners from threats.
Attacks against journalists. In the RSF's latest report, the Philippines dropped two spots in its annual press freedom index due to targeted attacks and harassment of media outlets.
Between July 2022 and April 2024, the NUJP documented 135 incidents of attacks or threats against journalists—higher than those recorded during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s first 22 months in office.
In September, Marcos said that the government is doubling down on its duty to protect Filipino journalists.
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