Frenchie Mae Cumpio reportedly saw jail officials taking photos of written communication and documents handed to her by her visiting lawyers, which is a direct violation of her right to private communication with legal counsel.

MANILA — The network of alternative media organizations lodged a complaint against the warden of Tacloban City Jail for exhibiting “abusive behavior” toward persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

According to the formal complaint filed by the Altermidya Network on July 16, J/Insp. Eva Naputo of the Tacloban City Jail Female Dormitory committed several questionable acts against detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights worker Marielle Domequil. 

The complaint cited delays in processing consent forms for trial monitoring due to the warden’s slow approval, as well as multiple instances where requests for prison visits from both the media and the diplomatic community were unjustly delayed or denied.

Read: Global media watchdogs question disallowed visit to detained Filipino journalist 

Among those allowed to visit Cumpio was United Nations expert Irene Khan as well as Dutch Deputy Ambassador Robert van der Hum who visited on June 26. 

One incident reported by the families of both detainees involved Naputo’s inaction regarding medical check-up requests. Cumpio, who had been experiencing respiratory symptoms, submitted a request for a consultation with a doctor. After weeks without a response, Naputo approved a so-called “online consultation,” but only allowed the jail nurse to speak with the doctor, denying Cumpio direct access to medical attention.

Cumpio also reportedly saw jail officials taking photos of written communication and documents handed to her by her visiting lawyers, which is a direct violation of her right to private communication with legal counsel.

A separate complaint was also filed against SJ01 Dalmacio C. Canayog Jr., chief intelligence officer, who allegedly ordered that personal letters addressed to Cumpio and Domequil—if they went beyond what he considered “the usual greeting”—should not be delivered.

The complaint also stated that similar actions were done to other PDLs at the facility. 

For one, PDLs were reportedly asked to make questionable monetary contributions for expenses such as tarpaulin printing or to share the cost of meals for dormitory activities.

Meanwhile, PDLs said that no action had been taken on their long-standing request to repair the dormitory’s dilapidated roof, which has been leaking since November 2024. Naputo reportedly said that such repairs should be shouldered by the PDLs themselves.

In addition to these poor conditions, Naputo also failed to conduct the required weekly dialogues with PDLs during which concerns could be expressed. Instead, concerns are relayed through other jail officers and staff.

“We believe that such conduct is a violation of the rights and dignity of the individuals in custody,” Altermidya National Chairperson Raymund Villanueva said in the formal complaint. “It contradicts the core mission of the BJMP to safeguard the welfare of PDLs while maintaining a secure and humane environment.”

The network also filed a similar complaint to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Altermidya urged the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to investigate the allegations. “We respectfully ask that any proceedings be handled with due impartiality and professionalism to protect complaints and witnesses from retaliation,” Villanueva said. (AMU, DAA)