By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Sunday that the 13 Filipino women convicted in Cambodia for illegal surrogacy have been repatriated following a royal pardon from Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
The pardon, granted on Dec. 26, was secured following a request from the Philippine Embassy and the endorsement of the Cambodian government.
“Upon the request of the Philippine Embassy and with the endorsement of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Royal Decree pardoning all 13 Filipinos paved the way for their release and immediate repatriation,” the DFA said in a statement.
The DFA previously reported the rescue of 20 Filipino women brought to Cambodia by a recruitment agency to act as surrogate mothers.
Seven who were not yet pregnant were repatriated earlier, while the remaining 13, all in various stages of pregnancy, were held at a Cambodian hospital.
The women were tried and convicted under Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation for participating in a surrogacy scheme.
Surrogacy has been illegal in Cambodia since 2016 and violations are considered felonies.
The DFA expressed gratitude to the Cambodian government for the humanitarian treatment extended to the women during the investigation and judicial processes.
“Their safe return highlights the strong diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Cambodia, as well as both countries’ shared commitment to combat human trafficking and transnational crime,” the DFA said.
It also reminded Filipinos that surrogacy remains banned in Cambodia, with violators subject to severe legal penalties.