23-year-old mother arrested for trying to sell 1-month-old baby online in Pasay

• A 23-year-old woman was arrested in Pasay City for attempting to sell her one-month-old baby online
• The baby was rescued during an entrapment operation and turned over to the DSWD
• The suspect initially asked for P100,000 but agreed to P90,000 during negotiations with an undercover officer
• She is facing charges of child abuse and trafficking in persons; the welfare of her three-year-old child is also under review

A 23-year-old woman was arrested in Barangay 197, Pasay City after she attempted to sell her one-month-old baby through an online adoption group chat.

The operation was carried out by authorities from the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP WCPC), who conducted an entrapment to rescue the infant.

According to a report by Bea Pinlac on Unang Balita, the baby was found wrapped in a towel during the rescue and was immediately turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for proper care and evaluation.

The arrest stemmed from an investigation into an online group where the suspect was actively offering her baby for adoption.

An undercover police officer from the PNP WCPC posed as a potential adopter and initiated contact.

“Meron silang napasukan na group chat na nandu'n active ‘yung ating undercover na nagpi-pretend na gusto rin mag-adopt,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Armelina Manalo, PNP-WCPC Luzon Field Unit chief.

“Nu’ng nag-PM siya (the suspect) sa undercover, nag-offer agad siya ng baby.”

Authorities revealed that the woman initially demanded P100,000 for the infant but eventually agreed to a lower amount.

“Immediately for P100,000... Since napakalaki ng amount, nagkaroon ng parang bargaining. Na-close namin ‘to ng P90,000," Manalo added.

The suspect is now facing charges for trafficking in persons and child abuse.

Police also discovered she has a three-year-old child, whose situation is currently being assessed by the DSWD.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 61-year-old woman died after being run over three times by two SUVs and a sedan at Illinois Street and Aurora Boulevard in Barangay Silangan, Quezon City, on May 17. The victim was initially struck by an SUV, then hit again by a second SUV and a sedan moments later, GMA News showed. QCPD is reviewing CCTV footage and has urged the involved drivers to cooperate with the investigation.

Still in other news, a 16-year-old girl in Antipolo accused a tricycle driver of forcibly taking her to a hotel instead of bringing her home after work around 3 a.m. The victim said the driver ignored her pleas and sped up when she asked to be let off, "binilisan pa niya lalo 'yung takbo ng tricycle niya, natatakot na po ako nun." At the hotel, CCTV showed the driver holding her arm, and the girl said: "hihingi po sana ako ng tulong kaso natatakot po ako sa kanya."

Source: KAMI.com.gh