Crushing The Tacloban 5

Human rights groups condemn the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, church worker Marielle Domeguil and activists Marissa Cabaljao, Mira Legion, and Alexander Philip Abinguna, seeing their jailing as a means to intimidate journalists and activists from being critical of the government.

Here is an excerpt of a statement by The Committee to Protect Journalists (https://cpj.org/2026/01/cpj-condemns-absurd-prison-sentence-of-up-to-18…):

"The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned the harsh 12- to 18-year prison sentence handed down to Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio after she was found guilty of financing terrorism, and called on authorities to immediately free her and stop targeting journalists.

'This absurd verdict shows that the various pledges made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to uphold press freedom are nothing but empty talk,' said CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi. 'Although the journalist was cleared on the charge of illegal possession of firearms, the ruling underscores the lengths that Philippine authorities are willing to go to silence critical reporting. The Philippines must free Frenchie Mae Cumpio without conditions and stop criminalizing journalists.'”

REFERENCES
Here is a statement by Rappler condemning the conviction of Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil
https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/posts/rappler-statement-oncumpio…

"‘A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE’: Altermidya condemns the guilty verdict on Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s case" a statement by Altermidya
https://www.altermidya.net/a-miscarriage-of-justice-altermidya-condemns…

"Detained humanitarian worker’s sister harassed by state forces" by Anne Marxze Umil for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/08/13/detained-humanitarian-workers-siste…

"From tambay to tibak: ‘Jolly’ Chakoy committed to defending human rights" by Aizel Tugalon for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2024/12/19/from-tambay-to-tibak-jolly-chakoy-c…

"Who is Frenchie Mae Cumpio, the iconic Filipino journalist held behind bars for six years?" by Reporter Without Borders
https://rsf.org/en/who-frenchie-mae-cumpio-iconic-filipino-journalist-h…

"Alarming convictions illustrate continuing pattern of abuse of Anti-Terror Laws" by Ritz Lee Santos III for Amnesty International
https://www.amnesty.org.ph/2026/01/alarming-convictions-illustrate-cont…

"Church leaders renew calls to free lay worker and journalist in Tacloban" by Neil Eco for Altermidya
https://www.altermidya.net/church-leaders-renew-calls-to-free-lay-worke…