The Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) denounces the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and human rights worker Marielle Domequil on terrorism financing charges, even as the court itself acquitted them of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. This ruling exposes the hollowness and political character of the case: when the most serious criminal allegations collapse, the state clings to counterterrorism charges to justify prolonged detention and punishment.
For nearly six years, Frenchie Mae and Marielle have been deprived of liberty on the basis of accusations rooted not on credible evidence, but in their work as a community journalist and development worker serving marginalized communities in Eastern Visayas. Their conviction marks a dangerous escalation in the use of the terrorism financing laws to criminalize journalism, humanitarian assistance, and legitimate civil society work.
That this is among the first such convictions involving a journalist underscores the chilling message being sent to the press and to human rights defenders nationwide.
We echo the position of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), who has consistently exposed how this case reflects the systematic misuse of counterterrorism frameworks to silence dissent. As NUPL has stressed, the charges against Frenchie Mae and Marielle rest on tenuous claims and speculative associations rather than proof of any intent to finance terrorism. Earlier rulings, including those rejecting the civil forfeiture of their seized funds, have already shown the absence of a lawful basis for branding them as terrorists.
The conviction proves the weaponization of Anti-Terrorism Act against activists, journalists, development workers. It demonstrates the broader pattern of red tagging and reinforces the climate of impunity, laundered through the courts, and cloaked in the language of national security. This poses a serious threat to human rights defenders and CSOs as it undermines civic space, erodes accountability mechanisms, press freedom, and freedom of association.
CPDG stands in solidarity with Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil and calls for immediate reversal of the unjust conviction. We call an end to the persecution of journalists, development workers, NGOs and people’s organizations. Justice and accountability cannot exist in a country that treats truth-tellers and development workers as criminals. As long as journalists and human rights defenders are punished for exposing abuse, impunity remains entrenched and democratic space continues to shrink.#
Featured photo by: Jam STA ROSA / AFP