[UPDATE] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Unjust conviction of Cumpio, Domequil is an NTF-ELCAC–ATC plot — KARAPATAN
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
22 January 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
Unjust conviction of Cumpio, Domequil is an NTF-ELCAC–ATC plot — KARAPATAN
TACLOBAN CITY – Human rights alliance KARAPATAN strongly condemns the wrongful and unjust conviction of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and humanitarian worker Marielle Domequil, calling it a deliberate plot by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), carried out in coordination with the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), to silence dissent through fabricated cases and the weaponization of anti-terror laws.
“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 Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general. “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 stressed that the weakness of the case has already been exposed, with the court acquitting Cumpio and Domequil of the charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. “This acquittal confirms that the accusations pushed by State security forces were fabricated from the start,” she said. “Yet the same lies and perjured testimonies were used to force a conviction in the remaining case.”
The charges stemmed from allegations that on March 29, 2019 in Catbalogan, Samar, Cumpio and Domequil supposedly delivered cash and support to the New People’s Army, in alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act. “These claims relied on unreliable witnesses, speculative intelligence, and inconsistent narratives,” Palabay said.
Using this ‘terrorism’ narrative, state security forces carried out an illegal search and seizure on February 7, 2020 in Tacloban City, confiscating ₱557,360.00, which was later frozen and subjected to forfeiture proceedings. “Aside from arrest and detention, it meant to cripple humanitarian and development work long before any ruling,” Palabay said.
Palabay said this case exposes the sinister motives behind the Anti-Terrorism Law (RA 11479) and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Law (RA 10168). “These laws are now being used to derail and halt humanitarian delivery of services to poor communities affected by calamities and military operations,” she said. “Development workers and their institutions are being attacked and criminalized for serving the people.”
“For nearly six years, Frenchie and Marielle suffered prolonged detention, multiple cases, frozen assets, and relentless red-tagging, all without credible and independent evidence,” Palabay added. “This conviction treats lies as proof.”
Palabay also highlighted that KARAPATAN national council member Alexander Philip ‘Chakoy’ Abinguna, who was arrested alongside Frenchie and Marielle during the illegal raid in February 2020, remains in jail due to snail-paced court proceedings. “This shows how prolonged detention itself has become a form of punishment,” she said.
KARAPATAN denounced the Marcos Jr. government’s policy of repression, holding it accountable for the sustained weaponization of anti-terror laws. “Under Marcos Jr., the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 have been aggressively enforced not to protect the public, but to persecute critics and suppress dissent,” Palabay said.
Five years after the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act, at least 227 individuals have been arbitrarily designated as ‘terrorists’ or charged in trumped-up terrorism cases, most of them under the current administration. Twenty of those charged remain in prison, according to KARAPATAN.
Palabay said the conviction of Cumpio and Domequil is part of a broader pattern of repression. “It mirrors the trumped-up cases filed against activists, humanitarian workers, and government critics,” she said. “It sends a chilling message that speaking out and serving poor communities can cost you years of your life.”
KARAPATAN demands the immediate reversal of the conviction of Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil, their release, the return of all seized and frozen funds and properties, and accountability for officials within the NTF-ELCAC, the Anti-Terrorism Council, and other state agencies who fabricated evidence, relied on perjured witnesses, and carried 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.” #
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.