We strongly condemn the guilty verdict against our colleague, Frenchie Mae Cumpio. While she was acquitted of charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and explosives, it is deplorable that she was convicted of a terrorism financing charge.
We are outraged by the clear injustice of the court decision amid glaring evidence that the charges against Frenchie Mae, Marielle Domequil, and the rest of Tacloban 5 are all fabricated.
The decision is a grave injustice and is a serious peril to the already dire state of press freedom and free expression in the Philippines.
The conviction has far-reaching consequences beyond Frenchie Mae. It deepens the climate of impunity in the country and sends a chilling message to journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens that free expression comes at a heavy cost.
The decision also affirms the duplicity of the Marcos Jr. administration, which has made repeated commitments to uphold press freedom and fundamental rights, but instead continues to be instrumental in weaponizing the law against journalists and dissenting voices.
Frenchie Mae has endured so much in the last six years in detention. She should not be in jail a day longer. We demand accountability for this miscarriage of justice. We demand a reversal of this unjust decision and an end to the harassment and prosecution of journalists and rights defenders.
