Manila, Feb. 11 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for granting royal pardon to 13 Filipino women convicted in Cambodia for illegal surrogacy.

During his bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malacanan Palace in Manila, Marcos expressed elation that the Filipino surrogates were able to return home following the grant of royal pardon.

"We will never forget this act of magnanimity from His Majesty, a testament to the strong relations between our two countries," Marcos said.

"Rest assured we will continue to stand with you in the fight against transnational crimes and their adverse effects on our peoples and on our commu...