By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores and Ma. Louela Allyanah Luna

Detained Tacloban community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s four-year legal case has taken a new turn as People’s Alternative Media Network (AlterMidya) revealed that she is set to take the witness stand for the first time on November 11 during  AlterMidya’s 10th anniversary celebration at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman College of Mass Communication (CMC) last October 10.

“For the first time sa apat na taon na pagkakakulong ni (in the four-year detainment of) Frenchie, sa (on) November 11 ay she would take the witness stand to personally defend herself from the false accusations,” AlterMidya Chairperson Raymund Villanueva stated in an interview with FEU Advocate.

Tagged as ‘Tacloban 5,’ Cumpio was arrested along with activists Marissa Cabaljao, Alexander Abinguna, Mira Legion, and Mariel Domequil on February 7, 2020 during a police raid in Tacloban City on charges of illegal firearms possession, with Cumpio and Domequil additionally charged with terrorism financing.

Legion and Cabaljao have been released on bail, while the other three remain detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Tacloban City Jail as of writing. 

In light of the recent development, the network launched a countdown to her looming testimony to reignite the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio campaign.

The campaign also initiated ‘Free Frenchie Fries,’ offering free french fries as token for monetary donations or any in-kind assistance in boosting the call for justice.

Last August 30, AlterMidya submitted a letter of concern to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), urging the investigation of the Tacloban-based journalist‘s restricted visitation rights.

According to AlterMidya National Coordinator Avon Ang, the commission is investigating the concerns but has yet to fully address the reported restrictions.

Nonetheless, Ang said that many people have been able to visit Cumpio since then.

“Marami namang nakakadalaw as long as napapadaan siya dun sa lawyers… Pero hindi siya madaling dalawin pa rin (Many people have been able to visit as long as it goes through with the lawyers. However, it’s still difficult),” she added.

Villanueva also revealed that the latest update did not come from CHR but from United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan, who had called upon the Philippine government to dismiss the trumped-up charges against Cumpio last February.

“If you remember earlier this year sa (in the) country visit ni (of) Irene Khan, she insisted on paying Frenchie Mae a visit and kinakamusta nila (have been asking) from time to time kung kumusta na ang kaso (about the cases status),” he said.

Moreover, the AlterMidya chairperson attributed the delays of Cumpio’s case to the Philippines’ ‘slow’ justice system along with media repression.

“Kung kino-consider ka talaga ng gobyerno na delikado sa kaniyang interes, kasi Frenchie (If you're being considered as dangerous in their interest, like Frenchie) being an independent critical community journalist, gusto nilang pigilan ang kaniyang boses kaya hangga't maaari, mas tumagal siya sa loob ng kulungan (they want to hinder her voice that is why they keep her detained for as long as possible),” he stated.

Additionally, Ang also cited the COVID-19 pandemic's repercussions and the state's attempts to turn witnesses against Cumpio as barriers to fast-track the case.

“‘Yung witnesses nila Frenchie Mae… ‘Yung Tacloban 5, dalawang bagay lang: either tinatakot ng state forces, pangalawa, syempre, ‘pag tinakot magte-testify na against them… So, nahirapan talaga tayo para labanan ‘yung ganung tactics kasi state forces ‘yun, eh (Frenchie Mae and Tacloban 5’s witnesses were intimidated by state forces to testify against the group. So, we really struggled to fight those kinds of tactics because they are state forces),” she expressed.

Despite this, Ang noted that there are still witnesses willing to and have testified for her, especially local and international media organizations.

Villanueva and Ang added the need to strengthen the capability of the organization to resist repressive acts from state policies and solidify their competence by expanding their network and influence. 

“If the government would not allow critical voices, lalo na sa media, hindi ‘yan tunay na demokrasya, ano ‘yan, dictatorship ‘yan (especially in the media, that is not democracy, but rather dictatorship),” Villanueva added.

Meanwhile, College Editors Guild of the Philippines National Spokesperson Brell Lacerna also stressed the role of campus journalism in upholding democracy. 

“It should also be a mobilizing factor for student-journalists to also really report on issues about our communities. ‘Yung pag-alala natin sa case ni Frenchie, hindi lang siya dapat pag-alala kundi (Our recall for Frenchie’s case must not be limited to just remembering, but also an) assertion for many student-journalists that press freedom is democracy. It's important na (that) us journalists should rally to call for the immediate release of Frenchie, not only to her but also to [the others of] Tacloban 5 as well,” Lacerna asserted.

Cumpio is considered the world’s youngest journalist political prisoner at age 20 of detainment. Her case has gained international traction with the UN and World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters-Asia Pacific joining the call for her release.

In line with AlterMidya's 10th anniversary, the campaign was followed by the launch of the first ‘Luis V. Teodoro Legacy Lecture’ series attended by various media organizations and journalists, which outlined the late AlterMidya Founding Chairperson’s life and legacy as a writer, educator, and activist.

The event was hosted by UP CMC Journalism Department Chair Kara David with former UP CMC Dean Georgina Encanto and Associate Professors Diosa Labiste and Danilo Arao as speakers. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)