Media groups demand dismissal of case vs. journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio
Several media groups on Monday held a protest before the Department of Justice and called for the dismissal of the case against journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.
In black, members of the Altermidya Network, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines held placards calling for her release.
Cumpio was arrested along with four others in a police raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020 for the alleged illegal possession of firearms and accused of being a member of the New People's Army.
Altermidya said that the first hearing on the charge of terrorist financing against Cumpio—connected to money confiscated by state forces in the raid—began today at the Tacloban City regional trial court.
“The money seized underwent a civil forfeiture case at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 and was granted in favor of the government in December last year, without prompt notice to Frenchie, Mariel, or their legal counsel,” it said in a statement.
“Today, our lawyers will also file a motion to reconsider this decision at the Manila RTC,” it added.
Altermidya also said that Cumpio was red-tagged before her arrest.
“Frenchie covered and gave critical analysis to the stories of the struggling people of Eastern Visayas. For that, she was targeted,” it said. — BM, GMA Integrated News