Filipino journalist Frenchie Cumpio convicted of terror financing, jailed 12–18 years

A young Filipino journalist, Frenchie Cumpio, was found guilty of terror financing on Thursday and sentenced to 12–18 years in prison by Judge Georgina Uy Perez of the Tacloban regional court. Cumpio, 26, had spent nearly six years in a crowded provincial prison. Cumpio and her former roommate Marielle Domequil broke down in tears and embraced as the verdict was read.

Both were acquitted on a lesser weapons charge. They were arrested in February 2020 on accusations of possessing a handgun and a grenade; more than a year later a charge of terror financing was added, carrying a potential 40-year sentence. Human rights groups and a UN special rapporteur criticised the case.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice had questioned the lengthy detainment, UN special rapporteur Irene Khan said the charges appeared to be "in retaliation for her work as a journalist", and advocates say Cumpio was a victim of "red-tagging". Beh Lih Yi of the Committee to Protect Journalists called the verdict "absurd" and said it was the first time a journalist had been charged with financing terrorism in the Philippines.

Aleksandra Bielakowska of Reporters Without Borders said the ruling showed a "blatant disregard for press freedom". Cumpio's lawyer Norberto Robel said his team would file an appeal and that there is a pending application for bail.

Key Topics

World, Frenchie Cumpio, Tacloban, Marielle Domequil, Terror Financing, Anti-terror Law