Police intervention saves two babies from underground market in Bulacan and Pampanga

• Police rescued a two-day-old newborn in Pampanga after the parents allegedly attempted to sell the infant for ₱30,000 due to poverty
• In a separate Bulacan operation, a three-month-old was recovered after being offered for ₱130,000 to fund a relative's legal bail
• All suspects are in custody and face heavy penalties under the Anti-Traffick1ng in Persons Act and child protection laws
• The Department of Social Welfare and Development has taken full custody of the infants to ensure their safety and well-being

Authorities have successfully intervened in two separate cases involving the attempted sale of infants in the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan.

The operations, conducted by specialized units of the Philippine National Police (PNP), led to the apprehension of the parents involved and the safe recovery of the children, who are now under the care of social welfare officials.

In the first operation conducted in Pampanga on February 8, 2026, police intercepted a mother who was allegedly attempting to trade her two-day-old newborn for ₱30,000.

During the initial questioning, the suspect and her partner claimed that extreme financial hardship drove them to the decision.

The parents are reportedly unemployed and were struggling to fund the medical treatment of another family member who is currently ill.

Shortly after the first incident, a second sting operation took place in Bulacan. This case involved a three-month-old infant being offered for a significantly higher sum of ₱130,000.

Investigators discovered that the proceeds from this intended sale were purportedly going to be used to settle the legal bail of the child’s father, who is currently incarcerated, as well as to cover the rising medical costs of an elderly relative.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are facing serious charges related to the violation of Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, in relation to the Anti-Traffick1ng in Persons Act.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that while poverty is a pressing issue, it does not justify the commodification of human life.

The recovered infants have been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for immediate evaluation and temporary placement in a secure facility.

Social workers are also looking into the background of the families to determine if there are other relatives capable of providing a safe environment.

Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious online advertisements or community whispers regarding the illegal adoption or sale of children.

They noted that these transactions often occur in the shadows of social media groups, where vulnerable parents are targeted by unscrupulous buyers.

The PNP has vowed to continue its crackdown on these underground networks to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.

In other news, a 39-year-old resident of Aloguinsan lost her life in a sudden attack while she was documenting neighborhood property damage caused by Typhoon Tino. The victim was using her phone to photograph local homes for government aid applications when she was allegedly assaulted by a neighbor with a bladed weapon. Law enforcement officials arrested the male suspect at the scene, later identifying him as a former drug surrenderee with a known history of psychological health challenges. While the community mourns the loss of the dedicated volunteer, authorities are currently finalizing a murder complaint and reviewing the suspect's mental fitness for trial.

Still in other news, the primary suspect and alleged shooter in the killing of PSSg Renato Casauay Jr. was apprehended in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, after a multi-province flight from authorities. The arrest follows the recovery of the officer’s remains from a concealed septic system in Malolos, marking a grim end to the search for the missing anti-drug operative. Investigators have linked the crime to a retaliatory plot by a local syndicate following a successful narcotics operation led by Casauay late last year. With the gunman and several accessories now in detention, the ₱1 million bounty is set to be distributed among informants who helped track the fugitives across the country.

Source: KAMI.com.gh