PNP rescues infant allegedly sold online for P90,000 by guardian

• A one-month-old baby allegedly being sold for ₱90,000 on Facebook was rescued by the PNP Women and Children Protection Center
• The rescue was made through an entrapment operation in Pasay City on July 3
• Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada called the act “immoral, irresponsible and selfish,” urging struggling parents to seek help from local authorities instead of exploiting children
• So far this year, the PNP WCPC has rescued 11 children and arrested 16 individuals involved in online baby selling, with one already convicted

In a shocking incident that exposes the growing threat of child tr@fficking on social media, the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued a one-month-old baby allegedly being sold for ₱90,000 on Facebook.

The rescue took place during an entrapment operation led by the PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) on July 3 in Pasay City, Manila Bulletin reported.

The infant’s guardian, believed to be behind the transaction, now faces possible charges as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on this disturbing online practice.

The National Authority for Child Care (NACC), which participated in the operation, denounced the ongoing sale of children for profit despite repeated government warnings.

“To sell a child for monetary relief is an immoral, irresponsible and selfish act,” said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada.

“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.”

Authorities revealed that the PNP WCPC has already rescued 11 children and arrested 16 individuals linked to online baby selling this year alone, with at least one conviction recorded.

The WCPC also disclosed it is monitoring 12 active Facebook groups with roughly 200,000 combined followers engaged in illegal adoption schemes.

“I appeal to Meta PH to help us stop the proliferation of Facebook groups facilitating ‘online baby selling’... This is no longer a matter of technicality, but a moral obligation,” Estrada emphasized.

Investigations remain ongoing as officials vow to pursue justice for vulnerable children.

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, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In a previous report by KAMI, Josh Mojica, the Owner and CEO at Kangkong Chips Original, has been in hot water recently for his viral video. In a Facebook video he uploaded on July 2, Mojica was seen driving on EDSA inside his sports car. However, he was also holding his phone while recording a quick clip of himself, his car, and the road. The video went viral and has called the attention of the Land Transportation Office, resulting in Mojica's driver's license being suspended for 90 days.

Additionally, the Land Transportation Office issued a show cause order against "Yanna," a motorcycle vlogger. This was after the viral road rage video where she and a pickup driver got into a confrontation while driving on a rough road in Zambales. It can be recalled that Yanna has already issued a public apology through a Facebook video. In relation to this, Senator JV Ejercito noted that although a public apology has been made by the moto-vlogger, she must still face the consequences of her actions.

Source: KAMI.com.gh