Candidates for surrogacy share a meal together inside a transition house. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Philippine government insisted that the Filipinas involved in a surrogacy scheme in Cambodia were trafficking victims despite their possible criminal liability in the Southeast Asian country.

• Senate probe sought into 'surrogacy scheme' victimizing Filipinas

While surrogacy is illegal in Cambodia, Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said that in the eyes of the Philippine government, the 20 Filipinas were victims.

Out of the 20 Filipina victims of the scheme, 13 were pregnant.

“Para sa atin sila ay mga biktima ng human trafficking at dahil biktima sila ng human trafficking, maaari nilang matanggap mula sa pamahalaan ang mga iba-ibang benipisyon na binibagay sa human trafficking," Ty said.

"Pinakaimportante kasama rin doon iyong non-criminality so dapat kung may nagawa man silang krimen, bilang isang trafficking victim, hindi nila dapat panagutan ang mga krimen na ito,” he added.

• 20 Pinay na biktima ng 'surrogacy scheme' sa Cambodia nasagip

Ty noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, was in talks with Cambodian officials.

“Titingnan din ano, kasi ang alam ko ang surrogacy ay isang krimen sa Cambodia kaya maaaring humarap sila sa ng kasong kriminal ngunit ang DFA, ang embahada natin sa Cambodia ay nakikiusap sa pamahalaan ng Cambodia na kung pwede hindi naman mangyari ito,” he said.

He said as soon as the Filipinas get back to the Philippines, they would be asked to cooperate with the government in the fight against human trafficking. 

Ty noted that last year, a Filipina who was offered up to P1 million for a surrogacy scheme, was intercepted by authorities. 

The Philippine government is currently working on the repatriation of at least 7 of the Filipinas, while the remaining 13 who are presently pregnant stay in the country for further monitoring.

Meanwhile, Ty reported that Philippine authorities have been able to rescue two potential female victims of the human trafficking scheme last Friday as they attempted to leave the country with a male suspect.

"Noong Byernes meron na naman tayong nasalba na dalawang Pilipina sa airport, at yung kanilang trafficker yung lalaki na kasama nila ay humarap na sa inquest proceedings sa DOJ," he said. 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has sought a Senate investigation into the alleged surrogacy scheme.-- with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News