MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine Embassy is appealing to the Cambodian government not to file criminal charges against the 20 Filipinas rescued from alleged surrogacy schemes, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said on Tuesday.

Surrogacy is considered illegal in Cambodia.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Currently, our embassy in Cambodia is coordinating with the Cambodian government to express our government’s desire that they not be arrested, not be treated as criminals, and instead be considered as victims of human trafficking.,” Ty said in Filipino in a press conference after the 2nd Regional Meeting of Southeast Asian National Anti-Trafficking Committees at the Diamond Hotel Manila on Tuesday.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION She thought her baby’s sweet scent was a blessing; it’s a deadly illness GLOBALNATION US missile deployment to PH important for combat readiness – US general GLOBALNATION House to SolGen: File raps to seize land from Chinese

Seven of the 20 rescued Filipinas may return to the Philippines this month, while the remaining 13 will stay in Cambodia while awaiting childbirth.

“So, let’s just wait and see what the outcome of the coordination will be. But what we can say positively is that they are being cared for and our embassy is being given access to them to monitor their well-being,” Ty said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Last October 9, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the rescue of 20 Filipinas who were reportedly brought by a Philippine agency to become surrogate mothers in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, last October 11, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she wants an investigation into reported cases of Filipino women being trafficked abroad to become surrogate mothers as part of an infant-trafficking scheme.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.coinburst

READ NEXT PH eyeing joint operations vs Pogos with Asean neighbors Figaro forges strategic partnerships to promote sustainable fo... EDITORS' PICK Central Visayas’ most wanted killed in shootout in Argao, Cebu LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Alex Eala bounces back at WTA 250 Guangzhou Open Israel strikes south Beirut after evacuation warnings Liam Payne had cocaine in his system when he died, says official Heart Evangelista: Woman to woman, I never had a problem with Pia Wurtzbach MOST READ DILG identifies 38 hotspots ahead of 2025 polls LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine AFP reprimands cadet who asked for Marcos wrist watch WPS: US missile deployment to PH key for combat readiness – US general View comments

• to
• PH
• coinburst
• Filipinas
• Cambodia