Groups call for release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, others

Several groups on Friday held a protest action before the Department of Justice (DOJ) to call for the release of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and rights advocate Marielle Domequil, days after they were found guilty of terrorist financing.

Iris Domequil, Marielle Domequil’s sister, took part in the rally.

She said they are waiting for the court to resolve their petition for bail.

“Nag-file po kami ng petition for bail. Tapos hinintay namin five days para mag comment ‘yung prosecution… hindi namin alam kung ano laman ng comment nila. Pero another five days ulit na naghihintay para mag decide si judge,” she said.

(We filed a petition for bail. Then we waited five days for the prosecution to comment… we don’t know what their comment contains. But then it’s another five days of waiting again for the judge to decide.)

Cumpio and the others were arrested in a police raid in Tacloban City in February 2020 over alleged illegal possession of firearms and for allegedly being members of the New People's Army.

In January 2026, a Tacloban regional trial court found Cumpio and Domequil guilty of financing terrorism 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.

In November 2025, the Court of Appeals nullified a separate forfeiture case against Cumpio and Domequil. —AOL, GMA Integrated News