The Philippines reported no journalist killings in 2024 – the first time in more than twenty years – marking a rare improvement in press safety. However, rights groups warn that media workers continue to face intimidation, so-called “red-tagging,” and politically motivated legal cases. “Red-tagging” is a practice of labeling individuals or organizations as members of the armed, communist insurgency or terrorists.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has yet to address ongoing prosecutions targeting journalists, including the case of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been detained for more than five years. Cumpio, 26, faces charges of financing terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and double murder – allegations that rights organizations describe as politically driven.
Ahead of a September 2025 hearing, over 250 journalists and media organizations signed a joint appeal urging Marcos Jr. to secure Cumpio’s release. The campaign, coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition of international and Filipino press freedom groups, highlighted serious irregularities in her arrest, including allegations that police planted firearms to justify the charges.
For her determination to pursue journalism despite intimidation and incarceration, Cumpio was recently nominated in the Courage category of the 33rd Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Awards.
The Philippines has improved its standing in global press freedom rankings under Marcos Jr.’s administration, moving up 18 places to 116th in the 2025 RSF Index. Yet, eight journalists have been killed since he took office in 2022. The recent murder of Noel Bellen Samar, the eighth victim, underscores the persistent impunity for attacks on the media. Samar, known for his radio programs, was shot while riding his motorcycle in Guinobatan, Albay province, on October 20, 2025, and died in hospital a day later. The motive of the murder has yet to be determined.
Like its predecessors, the current administration has failed to deliver justice for attacks on journalists, said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates.
Legal disputes continue to shape the country’s media landscape. However, on July 23, 2025, the Court of Appeals (CA) directed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reinstate the certificates of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC), affirming that the media organization is entirely owned and operated by Filipinos. The court rebuked the SEC for bias and cautioned that silencing compliant media organizations could endanger press freedom. Only the cyber libel case of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. remains pending before the Supreme Court.
Photo © Raffy Lerma