PHILIPPINES: JOURNALIST AND COMMUNITY WORKER CONVICTED

Dear President Marcos,

I am writing to you concerning the continued and prolonged arbitrary detention of members of the “Tacloban 5” – including journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, community worker Marielle Domequil, and human rights defender Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna – who have been detained since February 2020. On January 22, Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil were convicted on trumped-up terrorism financing charges and sentenced from 12 to 18 years in prison but were acquitted in the charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Pending their appeal of their conviction, the two applied for bail but this was denied on February 16. There has not been any significant progress in the case against Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna.

In November 2025, the Philippine Court of Appeals said there is insufficient evidence that Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequilin are members of the armed group New People’s Army, as the police had alleged as part of their dangerous “red-tagging” practice. The court even described the case as a “hasty labeling of human rights advocates as terrorists”.

I urge you to end the persecution of the “Tacloban 5” and ensure that Abinguna, Cumpio, and Domequil are immediately and unconditionally released. I also urge you to end the practice of “red-tagging” and ensure a safe environment for journalists, activists, and humanitarian and human rights workers to carry out their important work without fear of harassment, intimidation, and criminalization.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]