13 Pinay surrogates jailed in Cambodia back in Phl

Thirteen Filipinas convicted in Cambodia for acting as surrogate mothers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday and will have a place to stay, courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

- By DELON PORCALLA

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian vowed to give the 13 the assistance they need, through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), following their conviction for surrogacy, which is illegal in Cambodia.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which is under the Department of Justice (DOJ), assisted in the repatriation efforts.

"The DSWD, as the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, treats the 13 surrogate mothers as victims of trafficking, and all forms of assistance should be given to them, including the provision of transportation and temporary shelter in one of the DSWD’s center and residential care facilities (CRCFs),” Assistant Sec. Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said.

“Indeed, this is the best way to end the year, by delivering real justice for all in real time,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the women received a royal pardon from His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on Dec. 26, following a request from the Philippine embassy in Phnom Penh and the endorsement of the Cambodian government.