Authorities Warn About Online Baby Selling
ILOILO CITY — Officials from a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) quasi-judicial agency in Western Visayas have raised alarms against online baby selling, especially on Facebook. This illegal practice involves the online baby selling that authorities say equates to human trafficking, child abuse, exploitation, and unlawful adoption.
Janice Brasileño, officer-in-charge of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) and its Regional Alternative Child Care Office in Western Visayas, emphasized the serious risks involved. “Online baby selling also poses a threat to the life of a child,” she said during a media event held for Adoption and Alternative Child Care (AACC) Week. The event carried the theme “Hope and Home for Every Child.”
Efforts to Combat Online Baby Selling
The NACC is actively working to halt the online trading of children. Recently, three young victims in Western Visayas were placed under foster care after being rescued from such schemes. Brasileño revealed a disturbing trend where perpetrators privately message couples eager to adopt, exploiting their hopes.
In one case uncovered during an entrapment operation, a midwife was implicated in the illegal transactions. Authorities urge the public to help by reporting suspicious Facebook pages directly to Meta or the proper government agencies.
Encouraging Legal Adoption Processes
Brasileño encouraged couples and individuals who wish to adopt to follow lawful procedures. She highlighted Republic Act No. 11642, known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, which has simplified and made adoption more affordable.
“The process has shifted from a judicial to an administrative one,” she explained, making it easier and safer for adoptive families. This approach helps protect children from exploitation and ensures their welfare.
For more news and updates on online baby selling, visit Filipinokami.com.