Tomorrow, January 22, our colleague Frenchie Mae Cumpio will face the promulgation of the two trumped-up charges against her at the Tacloban regional trial court. The Altermidya Network, together with all advocates of press freedom and free expression, demands the acquittal and the dismissal of all charges against Frenchie Mae, Marielle Domiquil and the rest of the ‘Tacloban 5’.
Frenchie Mae represents the best of the alternative media and community press in the country. Before her unjust arrest, she was a dedicated journalist reporting on the issues of marginalized communities in Samar and Leyte. She continued her work at community media outfit Eastern Vista and host the radio program Lingganay Han Kamatuoran despite repeated harassment, red-tagging, and surveillance.
Six years of detention without conviction is six years too many. Frenchie Mae has paid an unconscionable price simply for doing her work as a journalist. To continue her detention or face conviction would not only be an injustice against our colleague, but a dangerous signal to every journalist, media worker, and citizen in the Philippines.
A conviction in Frenchie’s case would have far-reaching and chilling consequences. It would further entrench the criminalization of journalism, the use of anti-terror laws to silence truth-telling, legitimize prolonged detention as punishment without verdict, and deepen the climate of fear that stifles press freedom and free expression.
The Philippines cannot claim to uphold democratic values while allowing journalists to languish in jail for years without conviction. The continued detention of Frenchie Mae Cumpio undermines constitutional guarantees, international human rights obligations, and the public’s right to know.
We demand the immediate acquittal of Frenchie Mae Cumpio and an end to her unjust detention. Press freedom is not a crime. Free expression is not terrorism. Justice requires her release now.
Free Frenchie Mae Cumpio! Drop all charges against Tacloban 5!
Defend press freedom! Assert the right to free expression!
