President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his heartfelt thanks to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for granting a royal pardon to 13 Filipino women convicted in Cambodia for illegal surrogacy.

During a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, Marcos celebrated the safe return of the Filipino surrogates following the royal pardon.

“We will never forget this generous act by His Majesty, which is a testament to the strong ties between our two nations,” Marcos said.

He also emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to continue collaborating with Cambodia in the fight against transnational crimes and their harmful effects on both countries’ citizens and communities.

The royal pardon, granted on December 26, 2024, came after a request from the Philippine Embassy and was supported by the Cambodian government.

The Filipino women were convicted under Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation for their involvement in a surrogacy operation. Surrogacy has been illegal in Cambodia since 2016, and violations are treated as serious offenses.

In a joint statement following their meeting, Marcos also thanked the Cambodian government for ensuring the safety and well-being of the pardoned women.

The President further noted that the Philippines is eager to welcome more Cambodians as tourists, investors, business partners, and friends. (PNA)