Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio found guilty of terror financing

A young Philippine journalist who spent nearly six years in a crowded provincial prison was found guilty of terror financing on Thursday in a case rights groups and a UN rapporteur had labelled a "travesty of justice."

Community journalist and radio broadcaster Frenchie Cumpio, 26, and former roommate Marielle Domequil broke down in tears and hugged each other as the guilty verdict was read and they were sentenced to up to 18 years by judge Georgina Uy Perez of the Tacloban regional court.

They were both acquitted on a lesser weapons charge.

In its ruling, the court ruled that the evidence established the two provided and delivered P100,000 in cash as well as ammunition to members of the Community Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Catbalogan City in March 2019.

The prosecution presented former NPA members who claimed that they brought the P100,000 to Cumpio and Domequil, that the two travelled to Catbalogan, and that they were seen arriving at an NPA camp.

“At the time the two accused provided cash and supplies to its members, the organization was already domestically recognized or identified as a terrorist group,” It said.

“Since the prosecution was able to establish all the elements of violation of Section 8(ii) of RA 10168, then the two accused are criminally liable as charged,” it added. 

The court, meanwhile, denied Cumpio and Domequil’s defense that they engaged in online activities during the day, saying this does not prove that they remained in Tacloban.

“Their online activities merely showed that they accessed the internet at some point on that date; it does not preclude movement or travel, nor does it conclusively fix their physical location in Tacloban City at all relevant times,” it said.

The RTC also imposed a fine of P500,000 each for Cumpio and Domequil.

It committed them to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.

Case closely monitored

The case has been closely monitored by human rights groups including Amal Clooney's Clooney Foundation for Justice, which in October questioned the lengthy detainment, citing "repeated postponements and slow progress."

Who is Frenchie Mae Cumpio

UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan had previously said the charges against Cumpio appeared to be "in retaliation for her work as a journalist."

Cumpio and Domequil were arrested in February 2020 on weapons charges, accused of possessing a handgun and a grenade.

More than a year later, a charge of terror financing, with a potential 40-year jail sentence, was added.

On Thursday, Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the court's decision.

"This absurd verdict shows that the various pledges made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to uphold press freedom are nothing but empty talk," she said.

"The ruling underscores the lengths that Philippine authorities are willing to go to silence critical reporting."

Outside the courthouse, riot police blocked a crowd of supporters that included Cumpio's mother, Lala, from entering the courtyard. — Agence France-Presse with Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News