Authorities rescue infant being offered for sale by parents for business seed money

• Authorities rescued a 2-week-old infant in San Jose del Monte after her parents allegedly sold her for ₱27,500 to fund a food cart business
• The PNP-WCPC conducted a successful entrapment operation at a local mall, arresting the biological parents after they accepted marked money
• The suspects face multiple life-imprisonment charges under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Child Abuse laws
• NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada condemned the trade, stating that a child's life must never be treated as a financial commodity

In a disturbing case of human trafficking, authorities in Bulacan arrested a couple on Monday, February 2, 2026, after they allegedly attempted to sell their two-week-old infant to secure capital for a street food business.

The entrapment operation, conducted at a mall in San Jose del Monte, resulted in the successful rescue of the newborn and the immediate detention of the biological parents.

The Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) launched the sting operation following reports of an online transaction involving the sale of a child.

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During the entrapment, the parents reportedly accepted ₱27,500 in marked "buy-bust" money in exchange for their infant daughter.

Upon interrogation, the couple admitted to the authorities that they intended to use the proceeds of the sale as seed money for a "kwek-kwek" and fishball cart business.

This desperate and illegal attempt to generate business capital has left the community in shock, highlighting the extreme measures some individuals take under the guise of financial necessity.

The suspects are currently in police custody and face a litany of serious criminal charges. These include violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, and Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) immediately took custody of the infant to ensure her health and well-being.

NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada condemned the act in a strongly worded statement, emphasizing that children are not commodities.

"The life of a child is invaluable and must never be used as a commodity," Estrada stated. "The NACC remains steadfast in upholding every child’s right to identity and to grow up in a safe, loving, and permanent family. No parent has the right to exploit a child for financial gain."

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Social workers are now assessing the infant's condition and looking into long-term placement options.

The government has pledged to provide continuous protection and care for the baby as the legal proceedings against the parents move forward.

This case serves as a grim reminder of the vigilance required to protect vulnerable children from domestic trafficking and exploitation.

In other news, a husband and wife, identified as Jeffrey and Maggie Olid, lost their lives after a heavy-duty dump truck veered off course and crushed the tricycle they were using as a temporary shelter. Police reports indicate the tragedy was triggered when another truck attempted a dangerous overtake, causing the involved driver to lose steering control while navigating a blind curve in Barangay Ibo. Rescuers from the Toledo City BFP worked through the night to extricate the victims; however, both were pronounced dead on arrival at the city's general hospital. The truck driver, currently being treated for a fractured leg, faces formal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide as investigators look into speed limit violations.

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Still in other news, the search for 29-year-old Thelma Liza Cachero ended in tragedy on Monday morning after a farmer discovered her remains in a secluded, grassy area of Sitio Mallare. Cachero had been missing since January 30, with security footage last capturing her leaving her residence in professional attire for her shift at a local mall. Initial forensic observations revealed trauma consistent with strangulation, prompting the Police Regional Office-1 to treat the case as a potential homicide. Relatives, who had been pleading for information since her disappearance, positively identified the victim, while local authorities launched a full-scale investigation to track down a suspect.

Source: KAMI.com.gh