TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

JOURNALIST AND COMMUNITY WORKER CONVICTED

Philippines UA 19.20

On January 22, 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 February 7, 2020, following government raids on their offices in Tacloban City, Philippines. As they appealed their conviction, their bail application was denied on February 16. 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.

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” - send your message using our email writing tool.

YOUR INFORMATION

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Address

Apt., Ste., Bldg.

City

State

Postal Code

Country

Phone Number (Optional)

By providing your mobile number, you are signing up to receive calls and recurring fundraising and advocacy messages from Amnesty International USA at 213-33. Reply STOP to quit. Msg and data rates may apply. Privacy & Terms.

Postal Address Sharing

Do not exchange my postal address with other organizations.

Customize your message

President

Ferdinand

Marcos Jr.

President of the Republic of the Philippines

President of the Republic

Ferdinand

Marcos Jr.

President of the Republic of the Philippines

Dear President Marcos,

I am writing to you concerning the continued and prolonged arbitrary detention of members of the “Tacloban 5” - including journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, community worker Marielle Domequil, and human rights defender Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna - who have been detained since February 2020. On January 22, Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil were convicted on trumped-up terrorism financing charges and sentenced from 12 to 18 years in prison but were acquitted in the charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Pending their appeal of their conviction, the two applied for bail but this was denied on February 16. There has not been any significant progress in the case against Alexander Philip “Chakoy” Abinguna.

In November 2025, the Philippine Court of Appeals said there is insufficient evidence that Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequilin are members of the armed group New People’s Army, as the police had alleged as part of their dangerous “red-tagging” practice. The court even described the case as a “hasty labeling of human rights advocates as terrorists”.

I urge you to end the persecution of the “Tacloban 5” and ensure that Abinguna, Cumpio, and Domequil are immediately and unconditionally released. I also urge you to end the practice of “red-tagging” and ensure a safe environment for journalists, activists, and humanitarian and human rights workers to carry out their important work without fear of harassment, intimidation, and criminalization.

Yours sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}