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June 2025 – Tacloban City, Philippines — Press freedom groups have condemned Philippine authorities for obstructing a delegation’s attempt to visit journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained for over five years on charges widely viewed as politically motivated.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) denounced the denial of access, calling it a serious blow to transparency and procedural fairness. The delegation—comprising representatives from Reporters Without Borders, Free Press Unlimited, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and Altermidya—had sought to visit Cumpio through a formal request submitted via the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC).
Despite prior approval, the MFC reversed its decision and allowed only a brief, obstructed view of Cumpio from behind three layers of bars. During the visit, Cumpio passed a letter addressed to UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, while receiving notes and medication from the delegates.
Long-Running Detention and Charges
Cumpio, a community radio broadcaster known for reporting on human rights abuses, was arrested in 2020 under allegations of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In 2021, she was further charged with financing terrorism, after authorities claimed to have found cash during a raid on her office—allegations that civil society groups reject as baseless.
If convicted, Cumpio could face up to 52 years in prison. Her trial began in 2024, nearly four years after her initial detention, and she testified in court in March 2025.
Red-Tagging and Political Repression
Cumpio’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of “red-tagging”, where critics of the government are labeled as terrorists or communists without credible evidence. The Philippine Supreme Court in the 2023 Deduro v. Vinoya ruling identified red-tagging as a grave threat to life, liberty, and security.
Cumpio’s continued imprisonment is seen by rights advocates as a violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.
International Response and Ongoing Advocacy
CPJ and other rights organizations continue to call for Cumpio’s immediate release and have urged the Philippine government to uphold its obligations under international law. The case has drawn increasing international attention amid broader concerns over the shrinking space for press freedom in the Philippines.
“Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been held for over five years without a fair and timely trial,” said a CPJ spokesperson. “Blocking access to her by journalists and human rights groups is not only unjust—it is emblematic of the broader crackdown on dissent in the country.”
This article includes reporting from Sarisha Harikrishna, Queen’s University Belfast School of Law, for JURIST.
