RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
02/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/06/2026 12:58
Philippines: More than 90 press groups from around the world call on President Marcos to release investigative journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio
Six years ago, on 7 February 2020, Frenchie Mae Cumpio was arrested on trumped-up charges. Now, 92 press groups from around the world, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition of NGOs, have signed a letter to Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., calling for her immediate release. The letter comes after she was appallingly found guilty of "financing terrorism" on 22 January 2026.
Among the signatories are press freedom groups, media associations, foreign correspondents' clubs and NGOs from all around the world. As stated in the letter, the "recent conviction of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio on terrorism financing charges came as a shock to journalists and media freedom advocates. The court's reliance solely on implausible testimonies from prosecution witnesses makes the decision unbelievable and revolting."
"With the Philippines chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, the country should set an example for other states in the region and serve as a driving force for reforms on press freedom and journalists' safety. It is deeply regrettable that, instead, the authorities have chosen to convict a journalist who embodies the future of journalism not only in the Philippines but worldwide. The RSF investigation into the elements that led to her arrest exposed how baseless and unfeasible these accusations are. Frenchie's case should never have been brought before the courts, let alone resulted in a conviction. We join press associations from around the world in renewing our call on President Marcos and his administration to release Frenchie from prison, and ensure that no other journalist is persecuted for reporting the facts.
Aleksandra Bielakowska
Advocacy Manager, RSF Asia-Pacific
The case against Cumpio likely rests on fabricated evidence and amounts to legal persecution, as documented by the RSF investigation. From her arrest on 7 February 2020 until her conviction, Cumpio was held in pre-trial detention after being denied bail on the charge of "illegal possession of firearms" a charge that cannot be granted bail under Philippine law. Later, the equally bogus charge of "financing terrorism" was added to her case. Although the first charge was ultimately dismissed, she was convicted of "financing terrorism" on 22 January 2026 and now faces a prison sentence of 12 to 18 years.
Frenchie Mae Cumpio has received international support throughout her unjust detention. In September 2025, 250 journalists from around the worldcalled for her release. The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries on the planet for media professionals, ranking 116th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index.
The #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition consists of RSF, AlterMidya, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
Published on06.02.2026
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