13 Filipinas get 2-yr sentence in Cambodia for violating surrogacy ban

A Cambodian vendor transports lotus flowers past King Norodom Sihamoni’s portrait in front of Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 14, 2018. FILE PHOTO/Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen Filipino women were meted a four-year sentence, eventually reduced to two, in Cambodia for violating the surrogacy ban in the country, according to the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh.

In a statement, the embassy confirmed the verdict noting that 13 have been detained since Sept. 23 at a designated medical facility in Cambodia.

They were tried by a Cambodian court from Nov. 28 to 29 for their participation in a surrogacy scheme and were found guilty of violating Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation by the Kandal Provincial Court on Dec. 2.

READ: 20 Filipina surrogate moms brought to Cambodia rescued

Violation of the ban on surrogacy is considered a felony. In the instant case, the embassy said the law carries a maximum penalty of 15 to 20 years.

“For attempting to sell a person for cross-border transfer, the 13 Filipinos were meted a sentence of four years, which was reduced to two years due to mitigating circumstances vigorously argued by counsels appointed by the Embassy to pursue the best possible outcome within the framework of Cambodian law,” the Embassy said.

The Philippine government, it said, will continue to provide appropriate and necessary support, including legal and consular assistance, to the 13 Filipinos for the duration of their stay in Cambodia.

READ: PH to Cambodia: Filipinas in surrogacy scheme are victims, not criminals

Meanwhile, it noted that the surrogate moms had been accorded medical care and welfare assistance by both Philippine and Cambodian authorities while awaiting the judicial process to be completed.

“The Philippine Government continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and international partners, including Cambodia, in the fight against human trafficking and other transnational crimes,” the Embassy said.

“Filipino citizens are reminded that Cambodia strictly prohibits commercial surrogacy, and traveling to Cambodia for surrogacy arrangements could result in imprisonment,” it added.

The DFA first confirmed in October the rescue of 20 Filipino women who were reportedly brought by a Philippine agency to become surrogate mothers in Cambodia.

Seven of them were repatriated while the other 13– all in various stages of pregnancy— remained at a local hospital.

Based on preliminary interviews, the recruitment of these 20 took place online by an individual whose identity and nationality have yet to be determined.

The recruiter with an apparently assumed name arranged for the women to travel to another Southeast Asian country but eventually sent them to Cambodia, where surrogacy is banned.