Thirteen Filipino women, who were among the 20 surrogate mothers arrested in Cambodia last October, were sentenced on human trafficking charges related to their involvement in surrogacy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) confirmed.
"The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), through the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, confirms the decision of the Kandal Provincial Court (Cambodia) dated 02 December 2024, which found 13 Filipino women guilty of violating Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation," the DOJ and IACT said in a joint statement.
Although Cambodian authorities view the women as participants in an illegal surrogacy scheme, the DOJ and IACAT noted that the Filipinas' sentences were reduced to two years from the original 15 to 20 years of imprisonment.
It may be recalled that the other seven Filipinas, who were not yet pregnant, were successfully repatriated to the Philippines without facing any charges.
"The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and prosecutors are currently conducting investigations and building cases to file charges against the recruiters responsible for trafficking these women," the two agencies stated.
They also expressed their gratitude to the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia for its steadfast support of the Filipino women and the justice department.
Discussions are ongoing between the Philippines and Cambodia regarding the future of the children born from these surrogacy arrangements, including their nationality.
"Sa batas natin simple lang kung sinong nagsilang sa bata, siya ang nanay ng bata. Susundin ang nationality niya," Usec. Nicholas Felix Ty told reportes on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, once the children are brought to the Philippines, the DOJ stated that their custody will be handled by the appropriate agencies.
"Malaki ang posibilidad na kapag mauwi na yung mga bata sa Pilipinas, irerefer sa DSWD at NACC," they added.
The Filipinas are expected to return to the Philippines after serving their two-year sentences.
