MANILA, Philippines — A suspected human trafficking attempt involving a woman recruited for a surrogacy arrangement tied to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was halted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the Bureau of Immigration said.

In a report on late Wednesday noon, the 34-year-old woman, whose identity is withheld by authorities under anti-trafficking laws, was set to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Cyprus. 

She initially claimed to be a solo traveler on a leisure trip but raised suspicion when she inadvertently presented an IVF clinic invitation, which contradicted her story, BI said.

Investigation revealed that the woman had agreed to become a surrogate for someone she met on a dating app, with a promised P300,000 payout after childbirth.

Authorities sound alarm on surrogacy scams
According to the immigration bureau, the surrogacy and IVF trafficking scheme is expanding, fueled by a rise in online offers, with victims frequently pressured into passing specific medical tests.

“The scheme continues to thrive, leading to a rise in online offers for surrogacy or IVF-related services, with victims often coerced into passing certain laboratory assessments,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

“We warn females not to be tempted to agree to such schemes as this is a clear form of trafficking,” he said.

In 2024, 13 Filipino surrogates convicted for violating Cambodia’s anti-human trafficking laws were repatriated to the Philippines following a royal pardon granted by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

The 13 Filipinos were originally sentenced to four years in prison for their involvement in an illegal surrogacy scheme.

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