Twenty Filipino women, including 13 pregnant, have been rescued in Cambodia after allegedly being trafficked for surrogacy, the Philippine embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed on Wednesday, October 9.
The Cambodian National Police carried out the rescue operation in Kandal province on September 23, according to the embassy. Thirteen of the women, who are at various stages of pregnancy, are currently receiving care in a local hospital, while the remaining seven await repatriation.
Cambodian authorities confirmed the operation was in line with their laws on human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The embassy revealed that the women were recruited online by an individual whose identity and nationality are still unknown.
