“[One rebel returnee’s] assertions as a ‘single cooperating insider’ must be received with extreme caution. Unless it is supported by independent and unbiased evidence, her narration of the events deserves scant consideration."

CAGAYAN DE ORO — The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld its earlier decision that the state failed to substantially prove that cash seized during the arrest of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and church worker Marielle Domequil in 2020 was related to any suspicious financial activity.

In a decision promulgated on April 13, Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), emphasizing the latter’s failure to establish proper designation of the two accused as terrorists.

He emphasized that designation or proscription is indispensable to any forfeiture action.

In his earlier ruling, he stated that AMLC can only pursue civil forfeiture if funds or properties are proven to be tied to financing terrorism crimes.

Bruselas noted that Cumpio and Domequil do not appear in any published list of designated terrorists, including in Proclamation No. 374 of former President Rodrigo Duterte that declared the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist organizations.

“Without a proper designation or proscription, the State has no business meddling with the assets of a private individual who is not shown to be connected to any terrorist activity, as defined under the ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act),” a part of the court decision reads.

Authorities confiscated over P500,000 in cash from Cumpio and Domequil during their arrest in Tacloban City in February 2020.

Defense lawyers already explained that the cash was from legitimate sources, as Cumpio and Domequil had been partnering with various humanitarian organizations for their “Stand with Samar” campaign.

State authorities initiated a case to forfeit the cash, which a lower court had previously granted.

In a ruling dated October 29, 2025, however, the appellate court reversed that decision.

TIMELINE: The prolonged detention of Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio

In its motion, the AMLC argued that its civil forfeiture case was still governed by the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA) and not the ATA, asserting that designation or proscription is not a precondition to the case.

The court, however, said that even though the freeze order for the cash in question was issued prior to the effective date of the ATA, the actual filing of the civil forfeiture case was made on December 22, 2020 — nearly five months after the effective date of the law.

Therefore, the court said, the ATA’s provisions on designation and proscription must be followed.

Bruselas also stated that the bare allegations of two supposed “rebel returnees” who accused Cumpio and Domequil of having been involved with the CPP-NPA were not qualified as a proper designation.

“Their uncorroborated testimonies,” the court added, did not meet the strict requirements under the ATA’s implementing rules and regulation.

“[One rebel returnee’s] assertions as a ‘single cooperating insider’ must be received with extreme caution. Unless it is supported by independent and unbiased evidence, her narration of the events deserves scant consideration,” the court stated.

This civil forfeiture case was one of the legal battles faced by Cumpio and Domequil, who are part of the five individuals—collectively known as Tacloban 5—arrested during the February 2020 raid.

In January this year, a Tacloban court acquitted both accused from their charges related to illegal possession of firearms and explosives, but they were convicted for terrorism financing, a decision assailed by local and international press freedom watchdogs.

The guilty verdict was recently affirmed, prompting their lawyers to bring the case to the CA. (JDS)

The post CA upholds ruling: No proof money seized from Cumpio, Domequil linked to terrorism appeared first on Bulatlat.

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