One-month old baby rescued from “online baby selling,” NACC inter-agency committee harmonizes efforts against illegal adoption, child trafficking

A one-month old baby sold for Php90,000 via Facebook was rescued in an entrapment and rescue operation conducted by the Luzon Field Unit of the Philippine National Police – Women and Child Protection Center (PNP WCPC), on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Pasay City. 

NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada, who joined the covert operation, lambasted the continuing sale of babies despite the stern warning the Government had issued early on.

“To sell a child for monetary relief is an immoral, irresponsible and selfish act. A parent who thinks s/he is incapable of raising a child may easily seek support from the barangay women’s desk, or the Local Social Welfare and Development Office. Huwag na po sanang pagkakitaan at ilagay sa panganib ang bata,” lamented NACC Usec. Estrada.

To date, the PNP WCPC successfully rescued 11 children, arrested 16 perpetrators, and caused the conviction of one (1) respondent. 

As of June 16, at least 12 Facebook groups are actively facilitating “online baby selling” with at least 200,000 following.

“I appeal to Meta PH to help us stop the proliferation of Facebook groups facilitating “online baby selling” and other forms of illegal adoption.” This is no longer a matter of technicality, but a moral obligation expected from a social networking platform operating in the Philippines,” stressed Usec. Estrada.

Meanwhile, the NACC has convened its Inter-Agency on Adoption and Alternative Child Care on July 4, Friday, to “forge a coordinated, legal, and systemic response against illicit practices of illegal adoption including ‘online baby selling’.”

In a statement, NACC Usec. Estrada urged the member-agencies to “confront one of the most disturbing and fast-evolving threats to child welfare.”

“Children are being commodified on social media platforms. What was once hidden is now disturbingly” compromising a child’s rights to identity, safety, and a family,” she said.

NACC Assistant Secretary for Operations and Services Rowena M. Macalintal requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) for access to biological parents who have been put behind bars to enable the Agency to initiate the process of finding the best and most suitable alternative child care for the rescued children. 

Among the participating agencies are the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), PNP WCPC, PNP Women and Children Cybercrime Protection Unit (WCCPU), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology – Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (DICT-CICC), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).