A Philippine regional court has dismissed the murder charges against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio. The Laoang Regional Trial Court in Northern Samar ruled on November 6, 2025, that the complaint misidentified the accused.
Cumpio, 26, executive director of the independent news outlet Eastern Vista and a radio news anchor, has faced multiple charges since her arrest in February 2020, including illegal possession of firearms and explosives, terrorism financing, and murder. She still faces two counts of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, which were heard jointly, and terrorism financing. According to Julianne Agpalo of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), she can be released from detention if acquitted of these charges. Hearings for these remaining charges have been scheduled for January 22 and February 9, 2026.
The Court of Appeals also dismissed the civil forfeiture case against Cumpio that seeks nearly $10,000 of her assets, citing insufficient evidence linking the funds to terrorism. International press freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the charges as politically motivated and called for her full release.
Indigenous peoples rights defenders Julieta Gomez and Niezel Velasco were also arrested on July 16, 2021. Like Cumpio, they were charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court dismissed the charges on April 8, 2025, citing lack of credible evidence and procedural violations.
Gomez and Velasco are now pursuing criminal charges against the police officials responsible for their nearly four-year arrest and detention. They filed a position paper with the Ombudsman on November 14, 2025, charging the officers with grave misconduct, unlawful arrest, and planting of evidence, and urging their dismissal and forfeiture of benefits. Sandugo, Katribu, and other indigenous and human rights groups joined them in a solidarity picket calling for justice amid the continued political persecution of more than 700 activists and indigenous defenders in the Philippines.
Photo © Raffy Lerma