The Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Tacloban City has convicted journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and activist Marielle Domequil of financing terrorism, and sentenced them to up to 18 years in prison on Thursday, January 22, after more than six years in detention.
The court, however, acquitted them of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Cumpio and Domequil were among the so-called “Tacloban 5,” arrested during a raid on February 7, 2020.
The duo were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 8(ii) of Republic Act 10168, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
Based on the testimonies of prosecution witnesses and the evidence established, the accused provided and delivered P100,000 in cash, two boxes of .45-caliber bullets, 12 shotgun ammunition, and flags to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in San Andres, Catbalogan City on March 29, 2019.
The CPP-NPA was declared a terrorist organization under Proclamation No. 374 issued on Dec. 5, 2017.
“Thus, at the time the two accused provided cash and supplies to its members, the organization was already domestically recognized or identified as a terrorist group. These facts collectively satisfy all the elements of Violation of Section 8(ii) of RA 10168,” the court said
The accused were sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment from 12 years, five months, and 11 days of reclusion temporal as minimum to 18 years, eight months, and one day of reclusion temporal as maximum. They were ordered to pay a fine of P500,000 each.
The court ordered the commitment of the accused at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Cumpio’s lawyer noted that they may still file an application for bail if the decision is not yet final and executory, adding that they will study the ruling and explore legal remedies.
At the time of her arrest, Cumpio was serving as executive director of the alternative news outlet Eastern Vista, reporting on alleged military and police abuses. Domequil was a lay worker for the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP).
Both women, aged 27 and 28 respectively, were charged alongside Philip Abinguna of human rights group Karapatan, Mira Legion of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), and Marissa Cabaljao of environmental organization People Surge.
Legion and Cabaljao were later released on bail.
RTC Branch 45, presided over by Judge Georgina Perez Uy, is a Supreme Court-designated anti-terrorism court.(Marie Tonette Marticio)
