Thirteen Filipino women, who were pardoned by the Cambodian government after being involved in an alleged illegal surrogacy scheme, may have the option to place their children up for adoption if deemed unfit to raise them, the Department of Justice said on Monday.
The Cambodian government released the women under the condition that the children they are carrying would not be sold once born, explained Justice undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty.
“Ayaw ng pamahalaan ng Cambodia na makonsuma, mabuo, ma-consummate yung transaction na ma-ibenta yung mga sanggol sa mga nangontrata sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Kung makita natin na hindi kakayanin iyun, maaaring sa estado na muna ang mga sanggol at i-consider ang mga posibilidad sa kanila tulad ng adoption,” he added.
Three of the 13 pregnant Filipino women have already given birth and are currently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Diyan muna sila sa silungan ng DSWD hanggang handa na silang i-reintegrate sa lipunan,” Ty said.
“Dapat hindi pabayaan ang mga sanggol. Dapat akuin kung hindi ng mga nanay, akuin ng Pilipinas ang mga sanggol,” he added.
Ty assured that the government would provide protection and support if needed.
“Kung maglakas loob sila na kasuhan yung mga recruiter nila, matitiyak namin na bibigyan sila ng proteksyon ng pamahalaan,” Ty said.
“May mga kinakausap ang mga awtoridad para makuha ang kanilang mga salaysay para sa mga kasong maaari nating isampa,” he added.
The DOJ also warned the public about unscrupulous recruiters who encourage people to bypass official labor and immigration processes to work abroad.
“Marami pa rin diyan ang gustong pagsamantalahan, gustong biktimahin ang mga kababayan natin na may kaunting kahinaan o humaharap sa kahirapan,” the Justice undersecretary said.
“Maging mas alisto tayo, maging mas mulat tayo. Huwag tayo basta-basta magtitiwala,” he emphasized.
“Sana i-report ninyo sa amin para mahanap namin yung mga nagrerecruit at maiharap namin sila sa batas,” he added.