00:00Surrogacy is an act or procedure in which a third party female is designated and paid to carry a child for a couple by in vitro fertilization or IVF.
00:09That could well be a form of human trafficking if not carried out legitimately in accordance with existing state laws.
00:16And the 20 Filipinas in Cambodia smack of exploitation or forced labor perpetrate by bad actors or organized crime.
00:24As we hear more from our Daniel Manalastas how a number of Senators and the Justice Department are scrambling to probe this incident and get all the women back home.
00:36Senator Risa Hontiveros sought a Senate inquiry into the reported 20 Filipino women rescued in Cambodia who happened to be a surrogate mothers.
00:46Senate Migrant Workers Committee Chairperson Senator Rafi Tulfo immediately coordinated with the DFA to monitor the situation and ensure that proper assistance is extended to these distressed Filipinas.
00:58Tulfo is also set to file a resolution to investigate the matter and hold accountable those who are part of.
01:05The Department of Justice said it is closely looking into these incidents to determine whether these women can be classified as victims of human trafficking.
01:15Meanwhile Filipinas are urged to be vigilant and cautious when presented with offers that seem too good to be true.
01:22Earlier the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies of government confirmed it is closely monitoring developments but then had this warning to our Kababayans.
01:31All throughout Southeast Asia there is a lot of traffic. Scammers, surrogates, mothers.
01:38Please, before you go to our fellow countrymen to work, you will go through the DMW POA, the official process.
01:49Of course, there is a fine, there is a hassle, but it is important, there is protection.
01:53However, the painful reality.
01:56We believe most knew.
01:59They knew what they were getting into.
02:01But some, most, it is impossible for one or two to not know what to do.
02:08Because usually what they are told is that there is work in Thailand, computer work, tourism work.
02:18That is what they are doing.
02:20We are just now surrogating.
02:22Actually.
02:24It is possible, it is happening in other countries.
02:26Daniel Maranastas from The National TV for a new and better Philippines.
