Gov’t working for return of 13 Filipino surrogate mothers from Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is doing everything in its power to make way for the possible return of the 13 Filipino women recruited to be surrogate mothers in Cambodia.

This was made certain by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday.

“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,” said the DFA, noting that a whole-of-government approach is being undertaken and that various agencies are presently involved in the effort.

“The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh continues to coordinate with Cambodian authorities on the matter,” it added.

The 13 Filipinas convicted of violating Cambodia’s surrogacy ban were reportedly recruited online, the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh previously disclosed.

Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo said the women were recruited by a Philippine-based agency offering surrogacy services.

READ: Filipina surrogates convicted in Cambodia recruited online – PH embassy 

According to Mayo, the Filipino women were reportedly promised $10,000 for their services by the agency that recruited them.

Due to their violation of the surrogacy ban in Cambodia, the 13 women were sentenced to four years, but the sentence was eventually reduced to two.