MANILA 29 December 2024 - The Department of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), welcomed home today the 13 Filipino surrogates who were convicted by a Cambodian court on 2 December 2024 for violating Cambodia’s law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking.
All 13 departed Phnom Penh and arrived safely in Manila following the grant of Royal Pardon by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on 26 December 2024.
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 Philippine Government thanks the Royal Government of Cambodia headed by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Prime Minister Hun Manet for the humanitarian treatment extended to the Filipino mothers throughout investigative and judicial processes. Their safe homecoming is a testament to the longstanding friendly relations between the Philippines and Cambodia and the firm commitment of both governments to combat human trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity to remind the Filipino public that surrogacy is banned in Cambodia and any violation thereof is punishable under Cambodian laws. END
