The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) facilitated the repatriation of 13 Filipino surrogate mothers and three babies from Cambodia.
The mothers had been convicted of violating Cambodia’s anti-trafficking laws but were treated as victims of human trafficking upon their return to the Philippines.
Through the efforts by IACAT, including dialogues with Cambodian authorities, their initial sentences were reduced to two years.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh secured a Royal Decree of pardon from the Cambodian government, leading to their release and repatriation.
“First, we have been able to negotiate and spare Mary Jane Veloso’s life from death row. Now, we welcome back home our 13 kababayans who fell victim to human traffickers. Indeed this is the best way to end the year, by delivering real justice for all in real time,” said Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
The 13 mothers and the three babies are now under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), co-chair of the IACAT, for temporary shelter and appropriate intervention.
The DOJ and IACAT urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against offers that seem too good to be true but could lead to exploitation.
Suspicious activities or potential trafficking incidents can be reported to said agencies.IMT
