MANILA — Human rights alliance KARAPATAN condemned the conviction of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and humanitarian worker Marielle Domequil, describing it as a deliberate plot by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) to silence dissent through fabricated cases.

“This conviction shows how the justice system is being used to carry out the lies and persecution pushed by the NTF-ELCAC and the Anti-Terrorism Council,” said KARAPATAN Secretary General Cristina Palabay. “Frenchie and Marielle were targeted not because of evidence, but because of their work among the people. This ruling punishes journalism, humanitarian service, and community organizing.”

Palabay noted that Cumpio and Domequil were acquitted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, describing this as proof that state security forces fabricated the accusations. The remaining charges stemmed from alleged delivery of cash and support to the New People’s Army in Catbalogan, Samar on March 29, 2019, in violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (RA 10168).

“These claims relied on unreliable witnesses, speculative intelligence, and inconsistent narratives,” Palabay said. She added that an illegal search and seizure on February 7, 2020 in Tacloban City confiscated ₱557,360, which was later frozen, aiming to disrupt humanitarian work.

Palabay criticized the Anti-Terrorism Act (RA 11479) and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act as being used to halt humanitarian services and criminalize development workers. “For nearly six years, Frenchie and Marielle suffered prolonged detention, multiple cases, frozen assets, and relentless red-tagging, all without credible and independent evidence,” she said.

KARAPATAN also highlighted that its national council member Alexander Philip ‘Chakoy’ Abinguna, arrested alongside Cumpio and Domequil, remains in jail due to slow court proceedings.

The group held the Marcos Jr. administration accountable for what it called the weaponization of anti-terror laws, noting that at least 227 individuals have been arbitrarily designated as terrorists or charged in terrorism cases, with 20 still imprisoned.

“This conviction mirrors the trumped-up cases filed against activists, humanitarian workers, and government critics,” Palabay said. “It sends a chilling message that speaking out and serving poor communities can cost you years of your life.”

KARAPATAN demanded the immediate reversal of the conviction, the release of Cumpio and Domequil, the return of seized and frozen assets, and accountability for officials involved in fabricating evidence and carrying out illegal searches.

“We call on the people to raise the call to dismantle the NTF-ELCAC, stop the weaponization of anti-terror laws, end red-tagging, and put a stop to trumped-up charges. There can be no justice where repression is policy.”