Philippine activists appeal conviction for terror financing

Jailed activists Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil have filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals in Cebu City, seeking to overturn their conviction for terror financing. On January 22, Domequil and Cumpio were found guilty of terror financing based on “ex-rebel” testimonies and sentenced to 12 to 18 years imprisonment. They were acquitted in their illegal possession of firearms and explosives case. In April, they were transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. According to Julianna Agpalo, Cumpio and Domequil’s legal counsel, there is a recurring trend of activists facing terrorism-related charges whereby state witnesses often seemingly carry “fabricated” narratives. “Sa ating pag-file ng joint appellant’s brief na ‘to (In the filing of this joint appellant’s brief), we’re calling the attention of the court to this very insidious use of military assets against human rights workers,” Agpalo said in a briefing. Domequil and Cumpio were arrested alongside rights advocates Alexander Philip Abinguna, Mira Legion, and Marissa Cabaljao on February 7, 2020, at the office of alternative news outlet Eastern Vista in Tacloban City. They are collectively referred to as the “Tacloban 5.” Authorities seized a cash box containing P557,360, which they claimed was used for terrorism financing. In October 2025, the Court of Appeals overturned the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court that granted custody of the cash box to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). In its decision, the appellate court found that the AMLC failed to establish a factual or legal link between the funds and any terrorist organization. The court emphasized that Cumpio and Domequil are not “designated terrorists” and cautioned against the “hasty labeling” of human rights advocates and journalists. On April 13, the appellate court affirmed its October 2025 ruling, stating that the testimonies of state witnesses were uncorroborated. In a statement on Monday afternoon, alternative media alliance Altermidya highlighted the appellate court’s statement in its October 2025 ruling that clarified that there was a “dearth of reason to believe” that Cumpio and Domequil were or are connected to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. “This acknowledgment itself points to the core issue: the evidence does not sufficiently justify the conclusion reached,” Altermidya said. Cumpio was Eastern Vista’s executive director, a radio host for Aksyon Radyo Tacloban, and a member of Altermidya. Her and Domequil’s arrest caught the attention of United Nations Special Rapporteurs Irene Khan, Ben Saul, Gina Romero, Mary Lawlor, and Margaret Satterthwaite, who have urged the government to provide them with provisional release. “The conviction has profoundly affected not only Frenchie and Marielle, but also their families and communities. Nevertheless, we continue to believe in their innocence and hope that the Court of Appeals will carefully and fairly review the case of Frenchie and Marielle,” the Free Tacloban 5 movement said in a statement. Kyle Domequil, Marielle’s sister, told media that they will continue to seek legal remedies not just for the two activists but for the rest of the Tacloban 5. “Naging mahirap sa amin ang kanilang conviction at sa paglipat nila Ate Marielle at Ate Frenchie sa CIW pero hindi naman doon nagtatapos ang labang legal namin,” Kyle said. (Their conviction and the transfer of Ate Marielle and Ate Frenchie to CIW were difficult for us, but our legal battle does not end there.) – Rappler.com