Filipina surrogates convicted in Cambodia recruited on-line

This common view reveals town skyline and a high-rise constructing (L) below development in Phnom Penh on November 20, 2024. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — 13 Filipinas convicted of violating Cambodia’s surrogacy ban had been reportedly recruited on-line, the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh mentioned Wednesday.

Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille Mayo mentioned the ladies had been recruited by a Philippine-based company providing surrogacy providers. Nonetheless, the company’s identify was not disclosed.

“They mentioned the supply was made on-line. They didn’t acknowledge the company, as every thing was executed via non-public messaging or texting,” Mayo mentioned in a Teleradyo interview.

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

Mayo additional mentioned that the Filipinas claimed they had been unaware of the identities of the particular shoppers, as all their transactions had been dealt with via a third-party company consultant identified solely as “Ima.”

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“They by no means noticed who precisely recruited them. There was no identify given—solely a sure Ima, spelled I-M-A, because the recruiter,” she added.

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Mayo additionally talked about that the Filipinas had no data of the identities of the surrogate kids’s dad and mom.

“In line with them, they didn’t know the homeowners of the sperm and egg used… The embryos had been implanted in them, however they had been unaware of their origins,” she mentioned.

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

The Filipinas had been promised $10,000 for his or her providers by the company, in keeping with Mayo.

As a consequence of these revelations, Mayo urged the general public to train larger warning when coping with recruitment businesses and verifying job provides.

“Allow us to be vigilant in terms of job provides. Many of those appear too good to be true. If that’s the case, think about it a crimson flag,” she mentioned.

“Allow us to additionally be sure that the alternatives we pursue are authorized. Take a while to analysis and familiarize your self with the related legal guidelines.”