Philippines court clears journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio in civil forfeiture case

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 November 2025 |  JP Asia Desk

The Philippines Court of Appeals has overturned the civil forfeiture case against Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil. The court found insufficient evidence linking their funds to terrorism or the Communist Party.

Summary

MANILA — The Philippines Court of Appeals (CA) has overturned the civil forfeiture case filed against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and church layworker Marielle Domequil, ruling that authorities failed to prove the seized funds were linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), according to reports by GMA News and Bulatlat.

The case, filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), stemmed from the confiscation of PHP 557,360 from Cumpio and Domequil in 2020. Authorities alleged that the funds supported the CPP-NPA and served as grounds for separate terrorism financing charges against the two.

In its decision, the CA’s Third Division said there was no evidence showing that Cumpio and Domequil were CPP-NPA members or that the funds were used for terrorism-related activities. The court also cautioned government agencies against hastily labeling human rights advocates as “terrorists” and seizing their property without due process.

The confiscated funds were part of the “Stand with Samar-Leyte” campaign, which raised money to support farmers allegedly affected by militarization in Eastern Visayas.

Lawyers from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), who represented the two, welcomed the decision. “We welcome the decision of the Court of Appeals affirming that our clients are human rights defenders, not terrorists or terrorist financiers. The ruling is a clear recognition that the Terror Law was weaponized against those who courageously stand for human rights and justice,” the NUPL said.

Cumpio, a community journalist and radio host, and Domequil, a church-based layworker, were among the “Tacloban 5” — a group of activists and human rights advocates arrested on February 7, 2020, during the Duterte administration’s intensified crackdown on alleged communist sympathizers.

Their arrest and detention drew condemnation from human rights organizations, who said the cases were part of broader efforts to silence critical voices and target journalists in the region.

Photo credit: RSF.org