The 13 Filipino surrogates convicted for human trafficking in Cambodia were granted royal pardon and arrived in Manila on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
A general view of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP/Getty Images)
In a statement, the department disclosed that a royal pardon had been granted to the 13 Filipinos by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on Dec. 26.
“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 DFA said.
The Philippine government extended its gratitude to 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 DFA stressed.
The repatriation of the Filipinos was facilitated by the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
The 13 Filipinos were sentenced to prison after being found guilty by a Cambodian court on Dec. 2 for violating Cambodia’s law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking.
In the statement, the DFA reminded Filipinos that surrogacy is banned in Cambodia and that those found guilty will be punishable under Cambodian laws.