Responding to the news that a Tacloban court denied bail for detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil, Amnesty International Section Director Ritz Lee Santos said:
“Amnesty International Philippines is deeply disappointed by the decision to deny bail for journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil, following their conviction for terrorism financing. Despite serious concerns about the credibility of the cases against them and three others – collectively known as the “Tacloban 5” – the continued imprisonment of Cumpio and Domequil since 2020 raises concerns of grave human rights violations and the government’s misuse of the law against journalists and activists.
“Amnesty International has consistently documented how the government has resorted to red-tagging, fabricated charges, and the sweeping provisions of anti-terrorism laws to arbitrarily detain human rights defenders (HRDs). Press freedom groups have continuously condemned the risks the law poses in the violation of the ICCPR, right to freedom of expression, due process, and basic liberties.
“In the prevailing context where red-tagged individuals become the targets of harassment, threats and even killings, President Marcos Jr. should instruct the courts, government agencies, and legislators to take serious and concrete steps to ensure the safety and protection of HRDs, journalists, activists and other targeted groups.
The denial of Cumpio and Domequil’s application for temporary freedom demonstrates the persisting broader pattern of criminalizing journalists and HRDs under the Marcos administration. Instead of maligning and endangering people for the lawful exercise of their freedoms, the government should seek to address legitimate criticism of its policies and practices.
“The denial of Cumpio and Domequil’s application for temporary freedom demonstrates the persisting broader pattern of criminalizing journalists and HRDs under the Marcos administration. Instead of maligning and endangering people for the lawful exercise of their freedoms, the government should seek to address legitimate criticism of its policies and practices.
“President Marcos Jr. has remained silent far too long on issues of red-tagging and the misuse of anti-terrorism laws. Amnesty International calls on President Marcos Jr. to make urgent the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Act, and to defund and abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict that has been leading the government’s red-tagging efforts. The government should also repeal or significantly amend the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act that have been weaponized against government critics.”
Background
In January 2026, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil were sentenced by a court in Tacloban City to 12-18 years in prison for alleged terrorism financing; they were acquitted of the other charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Cumpio, 26 years old, and Domequil, 28, have been detained since 7 February 2020 following simultaneous and allegedly illegal police raids of their offices in Tacloban City. They are part of the “Tacloban 5” along with three others arrested that day. Human rights worker Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna” has also been detained since 2020; two are out on bail. The conviction followed increasing calls to end their prolonged arbitrary detention on charges described to be fabricated.
On 16 February, the same court denied Cumpio and Domequil’s application for temporary freedom through bail, citing the gravity of their alleged offence and the penalty against them.