Local and overseas journalist groups, along with church people, academics and progressive groups, widely condemned the guilty verdict in the “terror financing” case against Frenchie Mae Cumpio and Marielle Domequil. The court sentenced the two on January 22 to up to 18 years imprisonment and a fine of ₱500,000 each.

Cumpio managed the independent media outlet Eastern Vista and contributed to Altermidya, while Domequil served as Rural Missionaries of the Philippines staff. Authorities arrested them, along with three others, on February 7, 2020. They collectively became known as Tacloban 5.

The verdict shocked many since the Court of Appeals declared in October 2025 that the state had no basis to seize money found on Cumpio. The court ruled the absence of legal or actual basis to claim the money linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army. Meanwhile, the court acquitted Cumpio and Domequil in the separate illegal possession of firearms and explosives case.

Journalists called the verdict on Cumpio and Domequil a “failure of justice” and a serious threat to the already miserable state of press freedom and freedom of expression in the Philippines. They condemned the state for weaponizing the anti-terror law to silence journalists and other dissenting voices. Apart from Cumpio and Domequil, no less than 35 other individuals faced “terror financing” charges since 2021.

International journalist organizations also expressed alarm at what they called the first verdict against a journalist in a “terror financing” case. No less than 14 foreign embassies in the Philippines called for the immediate release of Cumpio and Domequil.

Progressive organizations launched protests in Tacloban City and Metro Manila prior to and on the day of the verdict. Hundreds gathered at the Commission on Human Rights on January 22 to oppose the unjust verdict and demand the immediate release of Tacloban 5.