Philippines: Jailed community journalist testifies

For the first time since her February 2020 arrest, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio testified on illegal firearm possession and terrorist financing charges on November 11 in Tacloban in eastern Visayas. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in calling for Cumpio's immediate release, and advocating for the urgent reform of 'anti-terror' legislation used to target the media, activists, and human rights defenders.

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NUJP members, journalists, and supporters of jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio campaign outside the offices of the Department of Justice in Manila on November 11, 2024. Credit: NUJP

On November 11, executive director of the Eastern Vista news website and Aksyon Radyo Tacloban radio news anchor, Frenchie Mae Cumpio, testified at the Tacloban Regional Court in eastern Visayas on charges of illegal firearm possession and terrorism financing. Cumpio was arrestedon February 7, 2020 alongside four other human rights activists, now known as the 'Tacloban 5', in a series of police raids in Tacloban City.

In July 2021, state prosecutors filedan additional terrorism financing case against the reporter, following the discovery of funds in the outlet's office at the time of her arrest.

In the same year, Cumpio was investigatedby the Anti-Money Laundering Council on a "civil forfeiture" case related to previous terrorism financing charges.

Cumpio has repeatedly denied all charges, with the NUJP consistently describing the charges as exaggerated, and rights group questioning the circumstances around the Tacloban 5's links to armed groups and illicit activity. The NUJP and other media organisations have consistently fought for Cumpio's freedom, with union members and representatives from other media organisations protesting outside the Filipino Department of Justice on November 11, demanding the withdrawal of all charges.

Prior to her arrest, Cumpio would frequently cover alleged abuses of power perpetrated by military forces on Eastern Vista - a news site affiliated Altermidya, an independent network of media outlets that supportcoverage of marginalised and underepresented communities in the Philippines.

Cumpio, alongside her Eastern Vista colleagues, were subject to 'red-tagging', a process wherein journalists, activists, or other human rights defenders are labelled as holding some sort of connection with armed communist insurgent groups, often accompanied by threats, harassment, or attacks.

If convicted of illegal firearm possession, Cumpio could face six to 12 years in prison under Phillipine law.The reporter also faces up to 40 years imprisonment related to terrorism financing under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2020.

NUJP said: "Frenchie's case is a clear example of continuing attacks on press freedom and the worsening impunity on violations of the rights of journalists in the Philippines. Reporting the truth, especially the grievances of oppressed citizens, is not a crime. This case also shows how the accusation of terrorism is used to justify the curtailment of press freedom. The Anti-Terror Act and Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act have been used as a weapon against critics, activists and human rights defenders."

IFJ said:"Where anti-terror legislation can be manipulated to target journalists, activists, unionists, or other human rights defenders, democracy remains under threat. Filipino authorities must drop all charges against Frenchie Mae Cumpio, and review the legal harassment of independent and critical voices. In the shadow of the ongoing legal harassment of journalists, the IFJ stands in solidarity with all targeted journalists and the wider Filipino media community."