Activist Testifies in Court, Urges Tacloban 5 Release

By Juliane Judilla

Lay worker and activist Marielle Domequil testified for the first time before the Tacloban Regional Trial Court on April 14, five years after her arrest.

Domequil, along with four others — Marissa Cabaljao, leader of the People’s Surge coalition; Alexander Abinguna of Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas; Mira Legion of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Eastern Visayas; and community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio of Eastern Vista — were arrested in a police raid in Tacloban, Leyte, on February 7, 2020.

The five are collectively known as the “Tacloban 5.”

Domequil and Cumpio face charges under Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, and Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

As Domequil testified inside the courtroom, the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) held morning prayers outside, joined by allied groups in a picket protest in front of the court.

MAKABAYAN Coalition senatorial candidates and party-list nominees also joined the protest, calling for the dismissal of the charges, the release of the Tacloban 5, the freedom of all political prisoners, and the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Urban poor leader and MAKABAYAN senatorial candidate Mimi Doringo stressed the need to defend basic rights and address root causes of poverty and injustice.

“We all know why we are fighting for our basic rights—because our government is not doing enough,” Doringo said.

“That’s why the call of the Makabayan Coalition is relief for the people. How can this be done? We need to solve the long-standing problems: raise workers’ wages, give land to the farmers, and ensure that the people’s tax money is used for public services so that no one like Frenchie Mae, Marielle, and the Tacloban 5 will have to keep asserting their basic rights.”

Cumpio previously appeared before the court on November 11, 2024, and January 13, 2025, to deny the allegations against her and Domequil.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, and former BAYAN MUNA Rep. Teddy Casiño are expected to observe Domequil’s defense proceedings.