United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan expressed dismay at the “unjustifiably long detention” of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio before finally being called to the witness stand to defend herself from charges by the Philippine government.
In a statement on the day Cumpio finally testified in her defense at the Tacloban Regional Trial Court (RTC), Khan today called for the prompt resolution of Cumpio’s case on charges of illegal possession of guns and explosives along with co-accused Marielle Domequil.
In 2021, the additional charge of terror financing was filed against Cumpio and Domequil. Both cases are simultaneously being tried by Tacloban RTC Branch 45 Judge Georgina Perez.
It had taken nearly half a decade for Cumpio to be heard while languishing in detention.
“That itself raises serious questions about the fairness of the process,” Khan said.
READ: Journalist Cumpio reveals their arrest was warrantless, irregular
“The arrest and criminal charges, following months of “red-tagging”, surveillance, intimidation and harassment, appear to have been filed in retaliation for her work as a journalist,” the Special Rapporteur said.
Khan noted that Cumpio was a community radio broadcaster known for her coverage of alleged abuses and human rights violations by State security forces.
On 7 February 2020, she was arrested in Tacloban City in the middle of the night from her place of residence.
She was subsequently charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and financing terrorism, which she has denied.
“Frenchie has a right to a prompt and fair trial. I trust that the court will review her case and in the absence of substantial evidence of the crime committed, will dismiss the charges against her and order her immediate release and appropriate compensation,” Khan said.
“During my visit to the Philippines in January 2024 I heard many similar stories of ‘red tagging’ followed by arrest on fabricated charges for serious offences and prolonged detention to harass journalists and human rights advocates and I have conveyed my serious concerns to the government,” the UN expert said.
“The imposition of non-bailable charges and subsequent extensive pre-trial detention of critics of the government is an unacceptable practice and must come to an immediate end,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur said she is in contact with the Government of the Philippines on Cumpio’s case.
Khan is expected to submit her final report on her Philippine visit in June 2025 at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
