HINATULAN ng guilty verdict ng korte ‘for financing terrorism’ ang community journalist na si Frenchie Mae Cumpio at ang co-accused nitong si Mariel Domequil nitong Huwebes, na may parusang pagkakakulong ng 12 hanggang 18 taon.

Subalit pinawalang-sala naman sa kasong illegal possession of firearms and ammunition ang dalawa dahil sa kakulangan ng ebidensiya na magpapatunay sa nasabing paratang.

Ayon sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), wagi ang sambayanang Pilipino sa decisive legal victory laban sa terorismo at doon sa mga tumutustos dito.

“The court has spoken. Justice has been fairly dispensed with—based on evidence, not noise, not ideology, and not propaganda,” pahayag ni NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Usec. Ernesto C. Torres Jr.

Sa landmark affirmation ng batas, napatunayang nagkasala ng Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 45 ng Tacloban City, isang anti-terrorism designated court, sina Frenchie Mae Cumpio at Marielle Domequil sa kasong Terrorism Financing under Republic Act No. 10168,

Iginawad ang hatol ni Hon. Judge Georgina Perez, presiding judge ng Regional Trial Court Branch 45, matapos ang limang taong paglilitis matapos na arestuhin sina Cumpio at Domequil.

Si Cumpio, dating executive director ng community media outfit Eastern Vista, ay kabilang sa grupong tinaguriang “Tacloban 5,” na nadakip sa isinagawang joint police and military operation kung saan sinasabing may mga baril at pampasabog na nadiskubre sa loob ng kanilang ginagamit umanong safehouse.

“This decision is a clear affirmation that our justice system is working exactly as it should—independently, impartially, and anchored on due process and evidence,” at walang katotohanan, ani Usec. Torres, na ang kaso ay “manufactured” or politically motivated.

“This case did not arise from thin air. It was built on sworn testimonies, financial evidence, and material facts that demonstrated the deliberate handling and facilitation of funds for a terrorist organization,” paglilinaw ng opisyal.

Ayon kay Defense lawyer Norberto Palomino, iaapela nila ang nasabing hatol sa loob ng 15 araw at hihilingin din sa korte na makapaglagak ng piyansa si Cumpio para sa pansamantalang paglaya nito.

“Let us be clear: terrorism financing is not journalism. It is not church work. It is not human rights advocacy. No one is being convicted for dissent. No one is being punished for free speech. They were convicted for financing a terrorist organization—plain and simple,” dagdag pa ni Torres.

(JESSE RUIZ)