The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined four press freedom organizations in urging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its Department of Justice to end the detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been behind bars for more than five years.
The groups said in a joint statement, led by CPJ, that the 26-year-old journalist’s case raises “serious concerns” over unjustifiably long pretrial detention and allegations that authorities had planted the weapons that led to Cumpio’s arrest in February 2020.
The journalist concluded her testimony on Monday at a local court, defending herself against charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing, which she denies. If convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison.
No verdict date has been set while a trial continues for those co-accused with Cumpio. CPJ has been monitoring the journalist’s trial.
Read the full statement here.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2025-03-24T16:45:07+00:00) CPJ, partners urge Philippine president to end Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s prolonged detention as trial enters key stage. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2025/03/24/cpj-partners-urge-philippine-president-to-end-frenchie-mae-cumpios-prolonged-detention-as-trial-enters-key-stage/
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