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August 29, 2025 – Philippines –
As the Philippines marks its National Press Freedom Day on August 30, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and a coalition of press freedom organizations are urgently calling for the release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, the country’s only journalist currently detained. Cumpio has been held for five years without conviction, facing charges that critics say are based on fabricated evidence, such as allegations of illegal firearms possession.
Cumpio, 26, formerly served as executive director of the independent outlet Eastern Vista and hosted a community radio program in Tacloban covering issues like police and military abuses. Her arrest in February 2020—alongside four human rights defenders—occurred following one such report. RSF’s exclusive July 2025 investigation revealed glaring inconsistencies in the case against her, including potentially planted weapons.
Her trial, which continues with a hearing set for September 29, 2025, could result in a sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
Leading the advocacy effort is the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition, which includes RSF, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), AlterMidya, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). They have monitored her case closely, meeting with her legal team and, after persistent effort, were finally granted a prison visit in July 2025—a rare access after years of denial.
The Philippines Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed concern about Cumpio’s treatment, prompting a formal referral for investigation. International bodies have also called for her release: the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Irene Khan, urged it in June 2025; and the One Free Press Coalition included her case among the “10 Most Urgent” cases of imprisoned journalists in 2025.
Despite these efforts, the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous nations for journalists, with 147 media workers killed since 1986, and a ranking of 116th out of 180 in RSF’s 2025 Press Freedom Index.
Analysts warn that Cumpio’s prolonged detention—on what appear to be politically motivated charges—constitutes a profound threat to press freedom in the archipelago. As National Press Freedom Day arrives, RSF and allied organizations are demanding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. drop all charges and release her immediately, emphasizing that her case embodies the urgent fight for media independence in the Philippines.
Reference –
https://www.publicnow.com/view/FDA5F7F3A0DE743C8386D191485FC782F50C8B6F
