A Philippine court has convicted community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio of terrorism financing, a ruling that has drawn condemnation from international press freedom and human rights groups that warn it could further restrict independent journalism in the country.
The Regional Trial Court in Tacloban City found Cumpio and her co-accused, Catholic lay worker Marielle Domiquil, guilty of violating Section 8(ii) of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, sentencing them to up to 18 years in prison, while acquitting them of all charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The ruling triggered swift condemnation from a broad coalition of Philippine and international press freedom and human rights organizations, which warned that the conviction poses a serious threat to press freedom and risks legitimizing the use of anti-terror laws against journalists and civilians.
Cumpio and Domiquil were convicted based on allegations that they provided money, food, and supplies to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army.
Defense lawyers said the conviction rested largely on testimonial evidence and lacked material proof.
“We have been reviewing, and we are still reviewing, the decision in the financing terrorism case. The basis for the conviction is still in legal limbo because, factually, we respectfully disagree with the basis for the conviction in the financing terrorism case,” said Atty. Ruben Palomino, counsel for the accused. “It has no solid factual basis, and the legal issues involved in this case remain unresolved.”
Palomino said the defense would pursue all available legal remedies, including an application for bail pending appeal.
Another defense lawyer, Atty. Norberto Robel Jr., said the acquittal in the weapons cases highlighted weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
“We are happy that with respect to the illegal possession of explosives, they were acquitted, because that was the most dangerous case,” Robel said. “However, with respect to the financing terrorism case, we still stand by our position that they are innocent.”
In a report by Altermidya Network, Cumpio welcomed the dismissal of the firearms and explosives cases while vowing to continue contesting the conviction.
“Thank you so much for your support. Acquittal is a big deal in the case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. We will continue to fight,” Cumpio said, according to Altermidya.
Her co-accused, Domiquil, also issued a brief statement following the ruling, saying: “Patuloy tayo sa paglaban para sa katotohanan” (We will continue the fight for the truth).
Press freedom organizations described the ruling as a blow to journalism and due process.
“This is a sad day for journalism. This is a sad day for Frenchie, on the eve of her 27th birthday,” said Beh Lih Yi of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “For CPJ, which has been advocating for Frenchie’s freedom since her arrest, we maintain that she is in prison because of her journalism.”
“This decision does not affect only Frenchie Mae Cumpio. It affects everyone in this room and the entire media community in the Philippines. It aims to create a chilling effect,” she added.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the conviction “does not bode well for the media’s ability to report on the issues that Frenchie did without fear of reprisal and retribution.”
Altermidya described the ruling as a miscarriage of justice with far-reaching consequences.
“We strongly condemn the guilty verdict against our colleague, Frenchie Mae Cumpio,” the network said. “The decision is a grave injustice and is a serious peril to the already dire state of press freedom and free expression in the Philippines.”
Human rights group Karapatan said the ruling marks a dangerous expansion of anti-terror legislation.
“The decision today legitimizes the use, abuse and misuse of anti-terror laws against civilians. We call on the Marcos Jr. government to stop this dangerous trajectory,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.
The Reporters Without Borders described the case as politically motivated.
“This is a clear political case, and what we have seen today, especially in the financing terrorism case, has nothing to do with justice. It is a miscarriage of justice,” said RSF advocacy officer Aleksandra Bielakowska.
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines also raised concern, pointing to contradictions with earlier appellate rulings.
“This conviction stands in stark contrast to earlier findings by the Court of Appeals, which ruled that there was no proof linking Cumpio and her co-accused, human rights advocate Mariel Domiquil, to so-called terrorist groups,” FOCAP said.
FOCAP cited an October 2025 appellate ruling, which said: “Measures to counter terrorism must not be done without due process, and at the expense of individuals, groups, and civil society organizations that are engaged in the promotion and defense of human rights.”
The group warned that the ruling, alongside other recent arrests of journalists, risks reinforcing a climate of fear that inhibits independent and critical reporting.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security said it respected the court’s ruling and acknowledged concerns raised by media organizations about the potential chilling effect of prolonged legal proceedings.
At the time of her arrest in February 2020, Cumpio was executive director of Eastern Vista and a radio broadcaster reporting on alleged police and military abuses in Eastern Visayas.
Defense lawyers said motions for reconsideration and for bail pending appeal would be filed in the coming days, stressing that the ruling is not yet final and executory.
