MANILA, Philippines — The Kandal Provincial Court in Cambodia has sentenced 13 Filipinos to four years in prison for their involvement in an illegal surrogacy scheme, the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia confirmed on Tuesday.

The court handed down the verdict on December 2, 2024, following a two-day trial from November 28 to 29. The group, all women, were found guilty of violating Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, which criminalizes surrogacy and imposes penalties of up to 20 years in prison for offenders.

The Filipinos had been detained since September 23, 2024, at a medical facility under police protection.

During their detention, the embassy said they received medical care and welfare assistance from both Cambodia and Philippine authorities while awaiting the judicial process.

The Philippine Embassy assured continued monitoring of the case and pledged to provide the necessary support to the women and their families.

“For attempting to sell a person for cross-border transfer, the 13 Filipinos were meted a sentence of four years, which was reduced to two years due to mitigating circumstances vigorously argued by counsels appointed by the Embassy to pursue the best possible outcome within the framework of Cambodian law,” the embassy said in a statement.

The Philippine government, through its embassy in Cambodia, has pledged to continue providing legal and consular assistance to the 13 Filipinos throughout their detention and stay in the country.

“Filipino citizens are reminded that Cambodia strictly prohibits commercial surrogacy, and traveling to Cambodia for surrogacy arrangements could result in imprisonment,” it said.