Rep. Marissa 'del Mar' Magsino
OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino has issued a strong statement condemning the recent trafficking of 20 Filipino women to Cambodia for surrogacy.
The incident, which involves 13 women already pregnant, has deeply disturbed the representative, who sees it as a blatant violation of human rights and an affront to the dignity of Filipino women.
“This heinous act of exploiting vulnerable Filipino women to provide babies for an infant-trafficking syndicate is a grave violation of their human rights,” Rep. Magsino stated. “We must stand united against this form of exploitation, which is becoming increasingly prevalent and now even exploiting surrogacy.”
While commending the rescue efforts of the Cambodian National Police and the ongoing assistance provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Rep. Magsino emphasized the urgent need for stronger protection against human trafficking and the commodification of women.
“This situation underscores the need for robust measures to combat human trafficking and ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos,” she added.
As President of the Anti-Trafficking OFW Movement (ATOM) and an Observer in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Magsino pledged to continue working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to refine the Guidelines on the Referral System Involving Trafficking in Persons Cases. She also called for the aggressive pursuit and punishment of those involved in the Philippines.
Magsino also urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in combating cybercrimes, as illegal recruitment and human trafficking are often facilitated online.
“Our stand against human trafficking is a critical aspect of our advocacy at the OFW Party List,” Rep. Magsino stressed. “We must work together to eradicate this crime that victimizes our countrymen and tramples on the dignity of our women.”
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