Fact Check: Cumpio's trial began almost four years after her arrest.

Fact Check: "Cumpio's trial began almost four years after her arrest."

What We Know

Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a journalist in the Philippines, was arrested during a police raid in February 2020. She faced charges related to illegal firearm possession and terrorist financing. As of November 11, 2024, Cumpio testified in court for the first time, marking nearly four years since her arrest and prolonged detention (Women Press Freedom). This timeline indicates that her trial indeed began almost four years after her initial arrest.

Analysis

The claim that Cumpio's trial began almost four years after her arrest is supported by credible sources. The Women Press Freedom report details her arrest in February 2020 and her court testimony in November 2024, confirming the timeline. This source is reliable as it focuses on press freedom issues and has documented multiple cases of journalist persecution in the Philippines.

Additionally, the context surrounding her arrest is significant. Cumpio has been labeled a high-ranking officer of the Communist Party by Philippine authorities, a claim widely regarded as baseless and intended to suppress her journalistic work (Women Press Freedom). This framing of her case highlights the broader issues of press freedom and the legal challenges faced by journalists in the Philippines.

While other sources, such as Amnesty International, also reference her arrest and the legal proceedings, the timeline provided by Women Press Freedom is the most explicit in confirming the duration between her arrest and the beginning of her trial.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Cumpio's trial began almost four years after her arrest" is accurate. The timeline of events, as documented by reliable sources, confirms that her trial commenced nearly four years following her arrest in February 2020.

Sources

1. Pangstart utenfor børs for Kahoot og Eilert Hanoa | Finansavisen
2. Dette bør Kahoot-aksjonærene gjøre nå - Finansavisen
3. Frenchie Mae Cumpio's Fight Against Unjust Charges ...
4. 630 nordmenn er Kahoot-millionærer - Finansavisen
5. Philippines: Five activists arrested after illegal raid
6. kahoot | Finansavisen
7. Red-Tagging in the Philippines: A License to Kill
8. Kangaroo BidCo innløser resterende aksjer i Kahoot