Activists call for the release of detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Activists and alternative media groups on Monday called for the release of their fellow journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio as well as human rights advocates Alexander Philip Abinguna and Marielle Domequil in a protest rally held outside the Department of Justice.

The activists protested in Manila as Cumpio testified before the Tacloban City Regional Trial Court Branch 45 where her group collectively known as the "Tacloban 5" were facing charges of violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 and illegal possession of firearms.

The Tacloban 5 were arrested on February 7, 2020, following a joint military and police raid in their houses and offices with alleged planted evidence.

Activists Mira Legion and Marissa Cabaljao were earlier released on bail as they were only facing the bailable illegal possession of firearms charge.

"Nananawagan kami para sa kagyat na pagpapalaya ng kapwa mamamahayag na si Frenchie Mae Cumpio, isang community journalist at Executive Director ng Eastern Vista, kasaping Altermidya Network at ng International Association of Women in Radio and Television-Philippines," the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and other media groups said in a joint statement.

(We call for the immediate release of fellow journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist and Executive Director of Eastern Vista, a member of the Altermidya Network and the International Association of Women in Radio and Television-Philippines.)

Groups that expressed support for Cumpio, Abinguna, and Domequil included Altermidya, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, Pinoy Media Center, the International Association of Women in Radio and Television and Photojournalists Center of the Philippines.

The groups asserted that terrorism charges were being used by authorities to suppress activists and journalists from exercising their freedom of speech.

"Alam ng mga awtoridad na siya ay isang kritikal na mamahayag, brodkaster, siya ay inaresto at patuloy na ikinukulong at sinasampahan ng gawa-gawang kaso," Altermidya Chairperson Raymund Villanueva said of Cumpio.

(Authorities are aware that she is a critical journalist and broadcaster, yet she was arrested, continues to be detained, and is being charged with fabricated cases.)