Int’l groups call for Cumpio, Domequil release
Cumpio and Domequil were targeted because of their efforts to improve the lives of the poor people in Eastern Visayas.
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Cumpio and Domequil were targeted because of their efforts to improve the lives of the poor people in Eastern Visayas.
Hindi pa tapos ang laban kahit nagdesisyon na ang korte. Dapat lang na magsampa ng apela. Ituloy ang pangagampanya para sa kalayaan. Huwag hayaang mabulok sa bilangguan ang mga walang kasalanan.
“It’s based on these self-serving testimonies of these military assets, whose credibility in the first place should be questioned."
The conviction went against a previous decision in October 2025 by the Court of Appeals which voided the civil forfeiture case against Cumpio and Domequil.
The conviction went against a previous decision in October 2025 by the Court of Appeals which voided the civil forfeiture case against Cumpio and Domequil.
Cumpio’s conviction would set a dangerous precedent for journalists speaking truth to power.
Cumpio’s remaining charges highlighted how the government was throwing accusations against a community journalist who was just doing her job.
Karapatan stated that these legal victories not only granted freedom and protection to activists, but also emphasized the resistance against abuses and weaponization of counter-terror laws.
The NUPL viewed the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act as laws “to punish those who stand with [the people],” recounting many cases of human rights workers who had been slapped with these cases to silence them.
Regional Trial Court Branch 21 noted the “glaring disparity and difference regarding the identity of the person named in the complaint and the person arrested."
In a 27-page ruling on October 29, Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr. stated that AMLC can only pursue civil forfeiture if funds or properties are proven to be tied to financing terrorism crime.
The case of Cumpio illustrates the painstakingly slow judicial process on harassment suits filed against human rights defenders.
The Commission reminded the state of its obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol, which require humane treatment of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and safeguard against inhumane or degrading conditions.
“Kapatid expresses grave concern over mounting reports of neglect, discrimination, and abuses against political prisoners Frenchie Mae Cumpio, Marielle Domequil, and other inmates at TCJFD under Warden Eva Naputo and Senior Jail Officer 1 Dalmacio Canayong."
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.
The UPR Watch said that Khan’s report reflects the wanton violations of human rights in the country under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration.
Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s case has been listed as one of the 10 most urgent press freedom cases in the world.
A memorandum issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit based in La Union province reveals the existence of “Project ‘Exit the Greylist.’” It directly links the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) process to at least one terrorist financing case against an activist.
We assert that journalism is no crime. The public service that journalism brings is essential now more than ever amid our increasingly fragile democracy. We urge the public to join our call: End the systematic use of anti-terrorism policies against civilians, junk the Anti-Terror Law, and abolish the NTF-ELCAC.
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