The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Friday that it is exploring all possible avenues to seek a pardon from the King of Cambodia for 13 pregnant Filipino women who were imprisoned for illegally participating in surrogacy arrangements.
“In response to reports about the anticipated return of the 13 surrogate women from Cambodia, the DFA wishes to affirm that we continue to do all we can to make this possible. This is a whole-of-government approach and many agencies are involved in the effort,” the DFA stated.
The agency also assured the public that it is in constant communication with the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh to coordinate efforts in resolving the matter.
Of the 24 foreign women detained, 13 were Filipinas, and they were apprehended by Cambodian authorities in Kandal province in September. The women were charged with attempted cross-border human trafficking.
The Cambodian court stated that there was strong evidence proving the women had the intention “to have babies to sell to a third person in exchange for money, which is an act of human trafficking.”
As a result, the women were sentenced to four years in prison.
However, the Philippine government argued that the Filipinas involved in the surrogacy scheme were victims of trafficking.
The Philippines does not have specific laws regulating surrogacy, creating a legal gray area that could be exploited.
Earlier this December, the Bureau of Immigration prevented two Filipinas from leaving the country after discovering that they were involved in surrogacy arrangements in Georgia.
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for a Senate investigation to look into the alleged surrogacy scheme.