By Mark Vincent A. Durano

People’s Alternative Media Network (AlterMidya) submitted a letter of concern to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the denied visitation rights of detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio last National Press Freedom Day, August 30.

Cumpio has been detained since February 7, 2020 in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Tacloban City Jail-Female Dormitory after being charged with illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing.

Several groups like KARAPATAN asserted the evidence to have been planted. 

The complaint followed the multiple restrictions of the local jail for media institutions and foreign missions to visit the detainee.

Earlier this year, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed to objectively probe Cumpio's case. However, it has been four years since the 25-year old political prisoner's charges remain pending.

International attention

Most recently this year, the BJMP Tacloban City Jail-Female Dormitory declined Spanish journalist Anna Enrech’s requested online visit last July.

Bulatlat reported that media groups International Association of Women in Radio and Television and the Committee to Protect Journalists were also denied to visit Cumpio last year. 

The local jail also denied visitation access to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany of Manila First Secretary for Political Affairs and Media Freedom Coalition member Alexander Schmidt.

Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) special rapporteur Irene Khan was the only international visitor able to see the political prisoner along with two other detained human rights activists Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abinguna last January 27.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, AlterMidya National Chairperson Raymund Villanueva stated that Cumpio’s case has received international attention, adding gravity to their call for CHR’s investigation.

“Ibig sabihin, global [na] ang atensyon sa kaniyang kaso… Sana ay makatuwang natin sila dahil sila ‘yung duty bearer ng human rights, pangunahin sa Pilipinas. Sana makatuwang natin at mapayagan si Frenchie na madalaw ng mga iba’t ibang entity outside of her councils and media (Meaning, her case has global attention… I hope we enjoin CHR since they are the duty bearer of human rights, the forefront in the Philippines. I hope they join us and allow Frenchie to be visited by different entities outside of her councils and media),” he said.

Visitation rights

According to Villanueva, the Tacloban BJMP said that only the political prisoner’s immediate family and lawyers are allowed to visit her.

However, the AlterMidya chairperson asserted that the restriction is a violation of the detainee’s rights.

“Ang isang tao, may mga kaibigan ‘yan, may mga malalayong kamag-anak, may mga samahan sa gawain na kasamahan niya na gustong dumalaw sa kaniya (A person has friends, distant relatives, colleagues who want to visit them),” Villanueva added.

He also stressed on the government to respect their vows in international covenants—including protecting a detainee’s visitation rights.

“Given the fact na some of those who want to visit Frenchie are foreign governments and missions na may diplomatic relations ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas (that the Philippine government has diplomatic relations with)… Dapat igalang ‘yan ng gobyerno. Kasi panata niya ‘yun, sa kaniyang sarili at sa buong mundo na igagalang ang karapatan (The government should respect that. Because it’s their vow, for their own and to the whole world to respect rights).” he stated.

The Geneva Convention IV, which the country is a signatory of, states under Article 116 that “Every internee shall be allowed to receive visitors, especially near relatives, at regular intervals and as frequently as possible.”

Likewise, the Joint Circular on Adherence to International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (1991) of the Philippines provides that “Family members, relatives … of detainees or arrested persons must be granted free access to the detention center/jail where the detainees are held, in accordance with the law and [Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippines National Police] policy.”

The Philippines also adheres to The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners or Nelson Mandela Rules since December 2023. 

“Prisoners shall be allowed, under necessary supervision, to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals: (a) By corresponding in writing and using, where available, telecommunication, electronic, digital and other means; and (b) By receiving visits,” Rule No. 58 read.

Four-year case

Along with Cumpio, Domequil, and Abinguna’s arrests were Marissa Cabaljao and Mira Legion, later dubbed as ‘Tacloban 5.’ The latter two were later released on bail.

Before dawn, her office was raided where an unaccompanied raiding team found explosives and a gun under Cumpio’s pillow and their tables.

All five human rights defenders faced the same illegal possession of firearms charges and were suspected to be members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

During Cumpio’s first hearing last June 23, 2020, Tacloban Regional Trial Court Branch 45 presiding Judge Georgina Perez junked the motion to quash the search warrant and information filed against them, reject the seized evidence, and return seized items that were not part of the raid.

In the latter years of detainment, Cumpio and Domequil faced accusations of terrorism funding. The Anti-Money Laundering Council accused them of planning to hand out P557,360 to the NPA for their operations and logistical supplies.

However, Cumpio defended that the money was supposed for her radio program and her ‘Stand with Samar’ humanitarian project. 

Prior to her arrest, Cumpio had already experienced intimidation and threats. She also received a funeral wreath with her picture in their office.

Following Tacloban 5’s case during the Duterte administration, Villanueva stated that there has been no difference on press freedom violations under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s presidency.

“Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos, nagpapatuloy ang media killings, apat na ang namatay. Hindi pa rin unblocked ng National Security Council at National Telecommunication Commission ang website ng mga alternative news outlets (Under the Marcos regime, media killings continued where four are already dead. The websites of alternative news outlets are still not unblocked by the National Security Key Council and National Telecommunication),” he shared.

The AlterMidya chairperson also stated that red-tagging, cyberattacks, and trolling persist in Marcos’ administration especially for being critical in performing the role of independent media.

Additionally, Villanueva urged the FEU community to study Cumpio’s case for being a campus journalist and to stand against human rights violations, especially in freedom of speech.

“Sana makasama sa pagkampanya kasi (I hope you join the campaign because) every journalist in jail is a travesty for human decency… So dapat, young Tamaraws should be aware that this is travesty on justice. You must join to campaign for Frenchie’s freedom,” he urged.

Cumpio is the Executive Director of the now inactive Tacloban-based news outfit Eastern Vista, a news radio anchor at Aksyon Radyo Tacloban DYVL 819 KHz, and trained to be the station manager of Radyo Tacloban.

She also became the editor-in-chief of University of the Philippines (UP) - Tacloban’s student publication, UP Vista.

(Photo by Mark Vincent A. Durano/FEU Advocate)