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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Henious act': Pro-OFW solon condemns trafficking of Pinays as surrogate moms in Cambodia

'Henious act': Pro-OFW solon condemns trafficking of Pinays as surrogate moms in Cambodia

Published Oct 10, 2024 10:32 am

At A Glance

  • OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino has expressed alarm over the report that 20 Filipino women were reportedly brought by a Philippine agency to Cambodia to become surrogate mothers.

FB_IMG_1689237055836.jpgOFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino has expressed alarm over the report that 20 Filipino women were reportedly brought by a Philippine agency to Cambodia to become surrogate mothers.

“This heinous act of exploiting vulnerable Filipino women to provide babies for an infant-trafficking syndicate is a grave violation of their human rights and a clear affront to our collective efforts to protect the dignity of Filipino women,” Magsino said in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia earlier confirmed the rescue of 20 Filipinas by the Cambodian National Police last Sept. 23. Of the 20 women, 13 are already in various stages of pregnancy. 

Based on preliminary interviews, the women were recruited online. The identity and nationality of the recruiter are yet to be determined.

Magsino said this situation highlights the urgent need to establish stronger protection against human trafficking and the commodification of women.

“We see how it has been evolving and becoming more entrenched, now even exploiting surrogacy,” she noted.

For her part, Magsino said she will continue to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to fine-tune the guidelines on the referral system involving trafficking in persons cases. 

The congresswoman stressed that authorities must also aggressively pursue and punish the Philippine agency that brought the 20 women to Cambodia. 

According to reports, the agency was found bringing in the women to be artificially impregnated to provide babies for an infant-trafficking scheme.

Magsino, President of the Anti-Trafficking OFW Movement (ATOM), is also urging the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for their technical assistance to law enforcement agencies against cybercrimes, such as illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

“Sa lumalawak na bitag nito, mas kailangan natin magtulungan upang tuluyang masupil ang krimen na bumibiktima sa ating mga kababayan, at yumuyurak sa dignidad ng ating mga kababaihan,” she added.

(As this trap widens, we need to work together even more to completely eradicate the crimes that prey on our countrymen, and trample on the dignity of our women.)

Related Tags

OFWs Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino surrogacy Cambodia
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