‘Unfortunate’: NUJP laments denial of Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s bail plea

Philippine Canadian Inquirer
February 17, 2026

(Photo courtesy: National Union of Journalists of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) released a statement expressing its sorrow over a Tacloban court’s decision to deny the bail pleas of detained community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and church layworker Marielle Domequil.

The media union said it is “unfortunate and unfair” for the Tacloban Regional Trial Court Branch 45 to rule on prolonging Cumpio’s detention, following the judicial body’s finding of a supposed lack of compelling reason to grant the two’s joint motion for bail.

“Each day that Frenchie is in jail is another day that she is kept from her family and from the community whose issues and problems she had reported on and for,” NUJP wrote in a statement.

NUJP reaffirmed its continued support for both Cumpio and Domequil, who have been detained at the Tacloban City Jail since 2020.

“The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines stands with them through the next stages of this legal battle and until their eventual and much deserved freedom,” NUJP added.