Philippines / Asia

Bangkok, April 30, 2026—The Philippines government must immediately conduct an independent investigation into the killing of community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma and hold any military members responsible for his death accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On April 19, Ledesma, a writer and editor at the local Padhimutad Negros and former editor-in-chief of…

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined a coalition of international and local press freedom organizations on Thursday in calling for the immediate release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio ahead of a court ruling on whether to grant a review of her bogus conviction for “financing terrorism.” On March 23, the judge in Cumpio’s case is scheduled…

Bangkok, March 9, 2026—China’s Embassy in the Philippines should cease its online attacks and intimidation against the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) after the outlet published a report into China-aligned influence networks operating in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. The embassy’s remarks targeted PCIJ contributor Regine Cabato’s investigation and follow-up…

New York, February 16, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Philippine court’s decision to deny journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio bail, and calls on authorities to drop all remaining charges against her and immediately end the judicial harassment. “Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been deprived of her freedom for more than six years. The latest ruling…

New York, February 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists and more than 90 media groups around the world have called on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to “right the wrong” and release jailed journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, as she marks six years behind bars on Saturday. In a joint letter to Marcos coordinated by CPJ…

Manila, January 27, 2026—Fifteen years after the murder of radio journalist Gerry Ortega, the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged Philippine authorities to swiftly deliver justice for his family and end impunity in one of the world’s most dangerous countries to be a journalist. Ortega was gunned down in 2011 outside a thrift store in…

January 22, 2026—A coalition of international and local press freedom organizations condemns the sentencing of Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio for between 12 and 18 years in prison in her terrorism financing case, denouncing it as a grave miscarriage of justice. Lawyers have moved for reconsideration of the verdict. Frenchie has meanwhile been acquitted on…

Tacloban City, January 22, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday condemned the harsh 12- to 18-year prison sentence handed down to Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio after she was found guilty of financing terrorism, and called on authorities to immediately free her and stop targeting journalists. “This absurd verdict shows that the various pledges…

The Committee to Protect Journalists and a coalition of press freedom organizations are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a week before a Philippine court is set to rule in the first of two cases that could see her jailed for up to 40 years. Cumpio, who…

New York, January 7, 2026—The Philippines’ presidential office has told the Committee to Protect Journalists that it will uphold due process and protect the rights of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, weeks before key judgments in a long-running case that could see her jailed for up to 40 years. On December 8, ahead of International Human…