MANILA: The Department of Justice announced on Monday that the Philippine government will provide comprehensive support to thirteen Filipino women, considered victims of human trafficking, who were recently repatriated from Cambodia. These women, involved in illegal surrogacy, will receive various forms of assistance including psycho-social counseling and medical services.

According to Philippines News Agency, upon their return to the Philippines on Sunday, the women and three of their infants were taken to a care facility managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), where they are receiving temporary shelter. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has instructed the agency's Field Office-National Capital Region to provide all necessary aid through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). This program offers direct service assistance such as food, financial support, educational and livelihood aid, as well as medical services.

Additional support includes auxiliary services for ongoing legal cases, training assistance for employment opportunities, and comprehensive case management involving problem analysis, intervention implementation, and progress monitoring for the victims.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty emphasized the government's commitment to monitoring and preventing future incidents of human trafficking, particularly those involving illegal surrogacy. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is actively ensuring that Filipinos traveling abroad do so for legitimate reasons. The BI has identified several women leaving the country to become surrogate mothers, resulting in their rescue and the prosecution of their recruiters.

The Filipino women were convicted in Cambodia for participating in illegal surrogacy activities but were repatriated following a royal pardon from Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. Since 2016, surrogacy has been considered a felony in Cambodia.