Camille Naredo

Journalists and civil society groups hold a candlelight vigil and short program in front of the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City on the eve of the promulgation of detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Mariel Domiquel, who are charged with illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism. The two were arrested during an early morning raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020. Dabet Panelo, ABS-CBN News

Journalists and civil society groups hold a candlelight vigil and short program in front of the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City on the eve of the promulgation of detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Mariel Domiquel, who are charged with illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism. The two were arrested during an early morning raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020.

Article (news)

Tacloban City

Dabet Panelo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769006414708viber_image_2026-01-21_22-15-05-531.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Journalists and civil society groups hold a candlelight vigil and short program in front of the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City on the eve of the promulgation of detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Mariel Domiquel, who are charged with illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism. The two were arrested during an early morning raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020. Dabet Panelo, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Journalists and civil society groups hold a candlelight vigil and short program in front of the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City on the eve of the promulgation of detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Mariel Domiquel, who are charged with illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism. The two were arrested during an early morning raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020. Dabet Panelo, ABS-CBN News</div>TACLOBAN CITY — A day before her promulgation, detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was in high spirits when she met with the media at the Tacloban City Jail on Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026.“Uuwi kami,” said Cumpio, responding to questions about what her wish is for her birthday.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/groups-picket-ombudsman-to-support-ex-pdls-suit-vs-pnp-officials-2029">READ: Groups picket Ombudsman to support ex-PDLs&#x27; suit vs PNP officials</a></div>Cumpio, who is turning 27 on the day after the promulgation, and her co-accused, lay worker Mariel Domiquel, are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism.Both have been detained for almost six years after their arrest in an early morning raid in Tacloban City on February 7, 2020.Judge Georgina Uy Perez is expected to hand down her verdict on the morning of January 22 at the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Tacloban City, which is a designated anti-terrorism court by the Supreme Court. A radio broadcaster and the editor-in-chief of the alternative community newspaper Eastern Vista, Cumpio had been reporting about military and police abuses before she was arrested. While in detention, Cumpio and Domiquel took cosmetology and baking courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and, later, helped teach other detainees who were studying under the Alternative Learning System School (ALS). Despite her jolly mood, Cumpio admitted feeling nervous about the outcome of their case. “Kinakabahan. Bukas na,” she said, adding that she dreaded the thought of standing in front of the court while listening to the judge’s verdict. She also said she has not packed her belongings and has been lacking sleep for days. “Syempre gusto ko na lumabas pero ayaw ko naman maging assuming,” she said.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/14/court-acquits-activist-amanda-echanis-in-firearms-and-explosives-case-1810">READ: Court acquits activist Amanda Echanis in firearms and explosives case</a></div>

A day before her promulgation, detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was in high spirits when she met with the media at the Tacloban City Jail on Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026.

A day before her promulgation, detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was in high spirits when she met with the media at the Tacloban City Jail on Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026.

Detained journalist wishes to go home for birthday, a day before promulgation

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Detained journalist wishes to go home for birthday, a day before promulgation

Dabet Panelo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 21, 2026 11:49 PM PHT

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Frenchie Mae Cumpio

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