Mother nabbed in Pasay for selling one-month-old baby online
Authorities rescued the baby during an entrapment operation conducted in Barangay 197, Pasay City, according to a report by Bea Pinlac on Unang Balita.
The baby, who was wrapped in a towel after the rescue, was immediately turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The arrest was conducted after authorities discovered an online group chat where the suspect had been actively offering the child for adoption. An undercover officer from the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP WCPC) posed as a prospective adopter.
'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.
(They entered a group chat where our undercover officer posed as someone also looking to adopt.)
'Nu'ng nag-PM siya (the suspect) sa undercover, nag-offer agad siya ng baby.'
(As soon as [the suspect] messaged the undercover officer, she immediately offered her baby.)
Initial reports indicate that the suspect first demanded P100,000 in exchange for the child. However, police said the price was later lowered through negotiation.
'Immediately for P100,000... Since napakalaki ng amount, nagkaroon ng parang bargaining. Na-close namin 'to ng P90,000," Manalo added.
(She initially asked for P100,000. Since it was a large amount, there was a form of bargaining. We closed the deal at P90,000.)
The woman is now facing charges for trafficking in persons and child abuse.
Police also discovered that the suspect has another child — a three-year-old — whose welfare is now also under review.
The suspect refused to make a statement on camera but police said she told them her motive was financial.
'According doon sa nanay, kaya siya napilitan magbenta ng kaniyang baby ay dahil kailangan niya ng pambayad o panggastos doon sa ospital kung saan siya nanganak," said Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad, PNP-WCPC chief.
(According to the mother, she was forced to sell her baby to pay for the hospital expenses related to childbirth.)
'Maraming utang na dapat bayaran. Pangangailangan din ng kaniyang 3-year old," said Manalo.
(She had a lot of debts to pay and also had to provide for her three-year-old.)
In a separate statement, the National Authority for Child Care reached out to Meta Philippines, urging the platform to act swiftly against at least 12 active Facebook groups reportedly being used to facilitate illegal child selling.
Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News is also seeking comment from Meta Philippines. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
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