Frenchie Mae Cumpio found guilty of terror financingFrenchie Mae Cumpio, a detained Filipino journalist, gestures as she arrives at Tacloban Regional Trial Court in Leyte island on January 22, 2026, to attend the promulgation of her court case. TACLOBAN, Philippines — A young community journalist who spent nearly six years in a crowded provincial prison was found guilty of terror financing on Thursday in a case rights groups and a UN rapporteur had labelled a "travesty of justice". UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan had previously said the charges against Cumpio appeared to be "in retaliation for her work as a journalist". Cumpio and Domequil were arrested in February 2020 on weapons charges, accused of possessing a handgun and a grenade. More than a year later, a charge of terror financing, with a potential 40-year jail sentence, was added.

Source: Philippine Star January 22, 2026 01:44 UTC