The Detaining Of Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio

On Monday, June 16, 2025, representatives of local and international media watchdogs tried unsuccessfully to visit to visit detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio in the Tacloban City Jail Female Dormitory in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines.

Frenchie Mae Cumpio, executive director of alternative news organization Eastern Vista, was arrested in February 2020 over alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives and terrorism financing charges. She was arrested along with Marielle Domequil of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Marissa Cabaljao of the People Surge Network, Mira Legion of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Eastern Visayas, and Alexander Philip Abinguna of Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas.

Cumpio has been jailed for 5 years without being convicted of a crime.

Cumpio has been listed by One Free Press Coalition as one of the “10 Most Urgent” journalists around the world who have been imprisoned for doing their work (https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/list). The list was compiled in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to CPJ data, 361 journalists were behind bars worldwide at the end of 2024

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines chairperson Jonathan de Santos said that Cumpio’s continuing detention is one of 177 cases of media attacks under the Bongbong Marcos presidency.

"Global media watchdogs question disallowed visit to detained Filipino journalist" by Franck Dick Rosete for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2025/06/17/she-has-not-been-convicted-global-m…

"Philippines: Special Rapporteur calls for justice for journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio" by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/11/philippines-special-rap…

"CPJ, partners urge Philippine president to end Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s prolonged detention as trial enters key stage" by the Committee to Protect Journalists
https://cpj.org/2025/03/cpj-partners-urge-philippine-president-to-end-f…

"As Frenchie Mae Cumpio wraps testimony, groups call for her immediate release" by Jazmin Bonifacio for Rappler
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/frenchie-mae-cumpio-testimo…

"Detained journalist Frenchie Mae debunks police’s claims" by Janess Ann J. Ellao for Bulatlat
https://www.bulatlat.com/2024/11/11/detained-journalist-frenchie-mae-de…