PRESS STATEMENT
November 13, 2024
The Legal Cooperation Cluster denounces the erroneous claims characterizing the indictment of Frenchie Mae Cumpio (Cumpio), Marielle Domequil (Domequil), Alexander Philip Abinguna (Abinguna), Mira Legion (Legion) and Marissa Cabaljao (Cabaljao) by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as baseless, fabricated and mere trumped-up charges..
It can be recalled that the self-proclaimed "Tacloban 5" were arrested on 7 February 2020 following a legitimate operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a staff house located in Tacloban City. The CIDG recovered not only illegal firearms and explosives but also money amounting to PHP557,360.00.
Said operation was the basis of the DOJ in filing the charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and terrorism financing against Cumpio and her co-accused. The Anti Money and Laundering Council (AMLC) followed suit and filed a civil forfeiture petition before Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila - Branch 18 on the basis that the money seized was intended by Cumpio to facilitate the distribution of funds and other logistical supplies, such as ammunition, to members of the CPP-NPA.
As of date, the cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives as well as terrorism financing remain pending. Meanwhile, finding merit in the AMLC petition, the RTC of Manila has granted the forfeiture of the money seized in favor of the government in December 2022.
The foregoing belies the claim that the charges are trumped-up and baseless. Cumpio and her co-accused characterized this as a fight for press freedom. It is not. It is a fight to uphold the rule of law and to exemplify the government's duty to apply the law to everyone, regardless of status or profession. No one is above the law. And it shall remain so for the rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy.
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NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU
Ref: Dr. Joel M. Sy Egco, PhD, MPSA
09155506969
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