Tacloban journalist, activist denied bail
TACLOBAN CITY—A regional trial court here has denied the petition for bail filed by community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and humanitarian worker Mariel Domequil three weeks after convicting them for terrorism financing.
In a nine-page decision dated Feb. 13, Judge Georgina Uy Perez of the Tacloban Regional Trial Court Branch 45 ruled that there was no strong or compelling reason to grant the joint motion for bail filed by the two accused.
“After careful evaluation of the records and the prevailing circumstances, this court finds no strong or compelling reason to justify the grant of bail …; the joint motion to allow the accused to be admitted to bail is hereby denied,” Perez said in her order.
‘Unfortunate, unfair’
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called the denial of bail “unfortunate and unfair.”
“Each day that Frenchie is in jail is another day that she is kept from her family and from the community whose issues and problems she had reported on and for,” it said in a statement.
On Jan. 22, the same court found Cumpio and Domequil guilty of violating Republic Act No. 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
They were, however, acquitted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a nonbailable offense. The two have been detained at the Tacloban City Jail since they were arrested in 2020.
Cumpio and Domequil were arrested by the military along with human rights activists Alexander Philip Abinguna, Marissa Cabaljao and Mira Legion during a series of raids in Tacloban City on Feb. 7, 2020.
The charge of terrorism financing stemmed from police allegations that Cumpio and Domequil traveled to Catbalogan City, Samar, on March 29, 2021, where they allegedly gave cash and ammunition to members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), which the government has designated as a terrorist group.
At the time of their arrest, Cumpio was executive director of the news outlet Eastern Vista while Domequil was working with the Church-based organization called Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.
After their conviction, the accused sought temporary liberty under Section 5, Rule 114 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, which allows bail after conviction in certain cases at the court’s discretion.
In denying the petition, the court emphasized the gravity of the offense.
“Terrorism financing, by its very nature, is regarded as a crime not only against the Filipino people but also against humanity and the law of nations, as it enables the commission of terrorist acts that threaten peace, security, and the rule of law,” Perez wrote.
The court added that the seriousness of the crime raised concerns that the accused might continue to provide financial, logistical or operational support to terrorist groups if released.
“To the mind of the court, the potential for continued involvement in such activities weighs heavily against the grant of bail,” the judge said.
Perez also cited the penalty for the crime—a maximum 18 years in prison—as a factor increasing the risk of flight.
“Jurisprudence recognizes that the imposition of a heavy penalty naturally increases the incentive to flee, particularly after conviction, when the presumption of innocence has been overcome and the reality of imprisonment becomes imminent,” she said.
The court further noted that the accused’s alleged connections to various organizations significantly heighten the risk of evasion and could be used to avoid the execution of judgment.
Unesco prize nominee
Meanwhile, Cumpio has been nominated for the Unesco Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, an international recognition given to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the defense and promotion of press freedom.
NUJP welcomed the nomination, describing it as recognition of Cumpio’s commitment and perseverance during her detention since 2020.
“Just as important is the acknowledgment and assertion that Frenchie is a journalist despite what the government and its supposed witnesses accuse her of,” the group said.
While expressing appreciation for the nomination, NUJP maintained that Cumpio’s acquittal and release remain the primary goal of the “Free Frenchie Mae Cumpio” campaign and her supporters.
The International Association of Women in Radio and Television-Philippines also called for Cumpios’s immediate release, saying her continued detention sends a message that the law is being used to protect those in power and punish those who speak out. —WITH A REPORT FROM ANDREA GREGORIO
