The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is working tirelessly to repatriate a group of Filipino surrogate mothers who were rescued from trafficking in Cambodia in September.
The Rescue Operation
On September 23, Cambodian National Police saved 20 Filipino women from Kandal Province. These women had been trafficked and forced into illegal surrogacy. Out of the 20 women, 13 are in different stages of pregnancy, while the other 7 are awaiting repatriation.
The Repatriation Plan
The DFA assured the public of its commitment to bringing the women home safely:
“This is a whole-of-government approach, and many agencies are working together to make this happen.”
The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh is actively coordinating with Cambodian authorities to ensure a smooth and timely process.
Legal Challenges
According to Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Camille Mayo, the 13 pregnant women must go through a legal process before they can return home. The 7 non-pregnant women are expected to be repatriated first.
The embassy has also made a formal appeal to the Cambodian government to refrain from filing charges against the rescued women. Under Cambodian law, surrogacy is illegal, and violators could face 2 to 20 years of imprisonment.
A Shared Commitment
The DFA and the embassy are working hard to ensure the safety and well-being of these women. Updates on their return will be shared as soon as progress is made.
This case highlights the urgent need to combat human trafficking and support victims in rebuilding
