EDM 349: Detention and trial of Frenchie Mae Cumpio

That this House demands the immediate release of Filipino community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been in detention since her arrest along with four human rights defenders since 7 February 2020 in Tacloban City and now faces the witness stand on 11 November; believes that the evidential basis for her arrest was fabricated, and that she is innocent of the charges; considers that the treatment of Cumpio is an attempt to silence messengers of truth and a clear violation of press freedom; fears that this represents a direct assault against Eastern Vista, which Cumpio heads as executive director, for its role in highlighting the issues of the marginalised and oppressed sectors in Eastern Visayas region, particularly the continuing plight of Yolanda victims, and the militarisation of farmers’ communities, among others; regards this case as yet another indication of the shrinking democratic space in the Philippines, as the administration hopes to deprive the poorest of the poor of another platform by which their voices are heard; and therefore supports the National Union of Journalists and International Federation of Journalists in calling on the Government to use every diplomatic effort to secure Cumpio’s release.