CIVICUS discusses the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and its implications for press freedom in the Philippines with Aleksandra Bielakowska, Advocacy Manager for Asia-Pacific of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a member of the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition. RSF monitors press freedom violations and advocates for journalist protection worldwide.

In January, a Philippine court convicted Cumpio and human rights defender Marielle Domequil of terrorism financing, sentencing them to between 12 and 18 years in prison. Both had been detained since February 2020. Press freedom organisations condemned the verdict as a miscarriage of justice, arguing it exemplifies how anti-terror laws silence critics through ‘red-tagging’, a practice of publicly accusing people of communist or terrorist links without evidence, subjecting them to surveillance and exposing them to arrest and violence.

What happened to Frenchie Mae Cumpio?

Cumpio is the executive director of Eastern Vista, a news platform affiliated with the independent AlterMidya network. She also hosted a radio programme in Tacloban, where she reported on alleged abuses by military and police forces.

In February 2020, military and police officers raided her home and arrested her. She was initially charged with illegal possession of explosives and firearms and placed in pretrial detention. In October 2021 prosecutors added a terrorism financing charge under anti-terror legislation. Throughout the proceedings, Cumpio maintained that the evidence had been planted. She and her co-accused were reportedly turned away during the search of the premises, preventing them witnessing the seizure of the alleged evidence. Independent investigations supported concerns about serious procedural irregularities. RSF considers the charges politically motivated.

After nearly four years in detention, Cumpio was convicted of terrorism financing on 22 January, the eve of her 27th birthday.

Why is this conviction significant?

RSF views Cumpio’s case as emblematic of how security laws are misused to target critical journalists, and her conviction as a troubling escalation in the pressure faced by independent journalists in the Philippines. She is the first journalist to be convicted under terrorism financing charges, setting a dangerous precedent. It signals that anti-terror legislation can be used not only to intimidate journalists but to secure lengthy prison sentences against them.

The verdict raises serious concerns about judicial independence and press freedom protection. It sends a chilling message to journalists investigating sensitive issues, particularly those involving security forces or governance. When counterterrorism laws are applied to journalistic work, they undermine press freedom and the rule of law.

What is ‘red-tagging’ and how was it applied in this case?

‘Red-tagging’ is a repressive tactic used against activists and journalists. It involves publicly and baselessly accusing people or organisations of having links to communist or terrorist groups. Such accusations often expose them to legal harassment, surveillance, threats and, in some cases, physical violence.

In the months preceding her arrest, Cumpio was reportedly subjected to harassment and surveillance. Following her conviction, officials publicly labelled her a communist and terrorist, further increasing risks to her safety.

Cumpio’s was not an isolated case. Other journalists, including Deo Montesclaros of Pinoy Weekly, have faced terrorism-related charges. The growing use of counterterrorism frameworks to silence dissenting media voices is creating an environment in which journalists are increasingly treated as security threats rather than contributors to public debate.

What has the response been, and what needs to happen next?

As part of the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition, RSF consistently condemned the charges and highlighted procedural irregularities throughout the case. Independent investigations raised concerns about tampered evidence and serious inconsistencies in the prosecution’s narrative. Despite these concerns, the conviction was upheld, prompting renewed calls for justice from domestic and international organisations.

The conviction underscores the urgent need for safeguards to prevent anti-terror legislation being misused against journalists. Authorities must ensure that counterterrorism laws don’t criminalise legitimate journalistic activity. Judicial independence and due process protections must be strengthened to prevent politically motivated prosecutions.

The case has drawn global attention. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, described Cumpio’s prolonged pretrial detention as a ‘travesty of justice’. Members of the Media Freedom Coalition have repeatedly expressed concern and visited her in detention to demonstrate international solidarity. Over 250 journalists from 35 countries and 90 press unions and associations have written to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr calling for her release.

President Marcos has publicly expressed support for press freedom and democratic values. RSF calls on him to demonstrate that commitment in practice by taking tangible steps to address this case and ensure that journalists are protected rather than prosecuted.

CIVICUS interviews a wide range of civil society activists, experts and leaders to gather diverse perspectives on civil society action and current issues for publication on its CIVICUS Lens platform. The views expressed in interviews are the interviewees’ and do not necessarily reflect those of CIVICUS. Publication does not imply endorsement of interviewees or the organisations they represent.