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November 10, 2025 – Philippines –
A Philippine regional court has quashed the murder charges filed against community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, providing a significant victory in her long-running legal battle after almost six years in detention. The decision, announced on 6 November 2025, was welcomed by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and its coalition of media-freedom partners, who also urged authorities to drop all remaining charges against her.
Cumpio, aged 26, was arrested in February 2020 on charges of illegal firearms possession and financing terrorism, alongside the now‐dismissed murder and attempted murder accusations stemming from an October 2019 attack on two soldiers. The Gambit of multiple legal cases has kept her in detention without conviction. The court’s decision to nullify the murder count marks progress, but a separate trial for the illegal firearms charges is still scheduled for January 2026, and the terrorism financing case remains unresolved.
CPJ and coalition members—among them Reporters Without Borders and Free Press Unlimited—interpreted the dismissal as a vindication of repeated concerns they flagged about the arbitrary nature of the proceedings. They reiterated calls for Cumpio’s immediate release and the full abandonment of all charges, pointing to her prolonged pre‐trial detention as a serious rights violation.
Cumpio’s case is closely watched in the Philippines, where media workers often face harassment, incarceration, or worse when covering sensitive issues. Her situation has drawn global attention through campaigns like #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio and raised questions about judicial fairness and press freedom under threat.
While the legal setback for prosecutors represents a step forward, Cumpio remains behind bars. Observers stress the need for authorities to convert symbolic legal victories into tangible justice: prompt release, transparent trial processes, and the end of an environment where journalism is penalised. The world is watching whether this milestone will lead to full accountability and protection for journalists—or serve as a cautionary marker of how much remains at stake.
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