Community journalist convicted of terror financingTACLOBAN CITY , Philippines — A regional trial court yesterday convicted community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and co-accused Mariel Domequil of terror financing, but acquitted them for illegal possession of firearms and explosives for lack of strong evidence and inconsistencies of witnesses during trial. Cumpio, 26, is the first Filipina journalist to be prosecuted under terror financing laws, which defense lawyer Julianne Agpalo said have become the government’s “weapon of choice” for silencing dissent. Cumpio and Domequil were immediately brought back to the facility where they have been detained since their arrest in February 2020. “Keeping her detained or convicting her would be unfair to our colleague and send a worrying message to journalists, media workers and everyone in the country,” she said. At the time of her arrest, Cumpio was the executive director of alternative media outfit Eastern Vista and was a radio broadcaster covering community issues.

Source: Philippine Star January 22, 2026 16:35 UTC