Tacloban-based journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio was nominated among six journalists and media outlets from around the world for the Courage Prize in the 33rd Annual Press Freedom Awards of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Cumpio is part of the ‘Tacloban 5’ human rights defenders who were arrested during midnight raids on February 7, 2020.
Marking the 40th anniversary of RSF, 29 journalists, photojournalists and media outfits including Cumpio were shortlisted for five categories, the other four are Impact, Independence, the Mohamed Maïga Prize for African Investigative Journalism, and the Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize. Cumpio is the only nominee from the Philippines.
The Courage Prize is awarded to journalists, media or NGOs who demonstrate courage in the practice, defence or promotion of journalism in a hostile environment and despite threats to their freedom or safety.
“Her case is a grim example of the practice of “red-tagging” in the Philippines, in which journalists who investigate sensitive government issues are branded as “subversives” or even “terrorists.” Frenchie Mae Cumpio courageously continued to investigate alleged police and military abuses despite repeated intimidation,” RSF said of Cumpio.
Altermidya Network expressed its gratitude for the nomination and recognition of Cumpio, who has continued to languish behind bars for more than five years since 2020.
“We would like to thank RSF on behalf of our colleague Frenchie for this recognition of her work and determination as a community journalist. Alongside our thanks, the call persists: #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio!” said Altermidya Network.
Various human rights defenders and press freedom advocates have decried the slow-paced proceedings in Cumpio’s case as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated persecution.
Cumpio is the Executive Director of the Eastern Vista news website and a radio news anchor at Aksyon Radyo Tacloban DYVL 819. She is also a member of Internatioal Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT). As a community journalist, Cumpio is known to have reported extensively on the struggles of marginalized communities which focuses particularly on abuses and human rights violations committed by military and police forces.
Cumpio’s courageous coverage of such issues led to her being red-tagged and arrested with charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives during the former Duterte administration.
Meanwhile, this year, Cumpio was also found to have been accused of double murder and multiple attempted murder charges, linking her to the killing of two soldiers in Northern Samar in 2019. Such a location more than seven hours by road from Tacloban, where she resides. RSF noted that Cumpio was only informed of the charges a few months ago and has not been told who filed the case against her.
Press freedom advocates have since noted this pattern of fabricated charges that further targeted many critics, activists, and journalists including Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem, who was also arrested in the same year.
In 2022, Salem was nominated for RSF’s Independence Prize; while in 2018, Inday Espina-Varona won the said award. Since the inception of the RSF Press Freedom Festival, three Filipino journalists including Cumpio, Salem, and Espina-Varona have been recognized for their unwavering courage and independence in defending press freedom.
The RSF Press Freedom Awards will be presented at the Gaîté Lyrique cultural centre in Paris on 15 November 2025.
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