On 22 January, journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and community worker Marielle Domequil were convicted on trumped-up terrorism financing charges and sentenced from 12 to 18 years in prison. They have been detained for over five years, since 7 February 2020, following government raids on their offices in Tacloban City, Philippines. As they appeal their conviction, their bail application was denied on 16 February. Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil are part of the “Tacloban 5”, along with three others arrested in simultaneous raids. Human rights defender Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna has also been detained since 2020 and his case is still pending. Marissa Cabaljao and Mira Legion were granted bail in 2020. We call on the Philippine authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna, Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil and immediately end the persecution of the “Tacloban 5”.
