Some Filipinos illegally sell their kidneys to earn up to P200k

Filipinos have been found taking part in selling their kidneys in the black market to be able to earn money up to P200,000.

According to data from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), one Filipino per hour experiences chronic renal failure. Some patients may undergo dialysis, but those with severe cases need to have a kidney transplant.

In the Philippines, it costs P600,000 up to P1.2 million for the operation.

Another challenge is finding a kidney donor who matches the patient, a process that may take years. Because of this, some look for kidneys in the black market.

Twenty-five years after Jessica Soho first reported on the sale of kidneys in the Philippines, the veteran broadcast journalist spoke to new victims of this widespread issue in a special report for “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

According to the report, an apartment in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan has been housing Filipinos who are set to sell their kidneys as they wait for operations. Their kidneys would be transplanted to strangers, an illegal act and a form of human trafficking.

The process begins online where interested parties join a Facebook group to meet agents. Kidneys can be sold for as much as P200,000.

“Kat,” one of the victims, came forward to tell her story and raise awareness.

“Ayaw ko na rin na may mabiktima sila,” she said, adding that minors were also involved in this illegal trade.

["I don't want them to victimize anyone else."]

“Kat” had her own family at 21 years old and was ?70,000 in debt. Despite working tirelessly, she still couldn't pay her dues. So, in November, she sought a place to sell her kidney.

“Sa Facebook, sinearch ko ang ‘kidney selling.’ Tapos lumabas ang Kidney Donate,” she said

[“I went on Facebook and searched for 'kidney selling'. That's when the group named 'Kidney Donate' came up.]

According to “Kat”, it was very easy to join the group. It was also filled with dummy accounts, people looking to sell one of their kidneys. The comments sections are filled with accounts declaring, “mine.”

After “Kat” commented on a post, she was contacted by someone who had previously sold their kidney for ?200,000. The person then offered “Kat” to do the same.

Before “Kat” could donate or sell her kidney, she had to undergo a lab test, an interview, and live in an apartment in Bulacan with 11 other donors.

“Kat” met the other donors, several of whom are Gen Z and mostly men.

Some donors are as young as 17, with one even using his earnings to buy an iPhone and a motorcycle. However, since only individuals aged 23 and above are allowed to donate, they lie about their age and create fake birth certificates.

The apartment where they stay has strict rules: they must ask for permission to go out and are not allowed outside alone. While donors can use their phones, staff members monitor their contacts.

Screenings

According to "Kat," donors are required to visit NKTI weekly to provide blood and urine samples and to have their creatinine levels checked. This process continues until the donor is deemed healthy, and the results are forwarded to the intended recipient of the organ. Afterwards, donors undergo a series of psychological tests to assess their mental health and determine if they were coerced into donation. The final step is an interview with the ethics committee panel.

This rigorous screening process is intended to prevent illegal kidney sales and purchases. NKTI’s guidelines specify that organ donors must be relatives or friends of the patient. Deceased donors are permitted only if they have signed an organ donation waiver.

However, for individuals like "Kat," who do not meet the qualifications to become legitimate donors, agents train them to fabricate stories. "Kat" had to learn details such as the patient’s birthday, age, weight, mother’s name, and the date of diagnosis, among other specifics.

She and the agents also forged documents and photos. “Kat” visited the recipient’s home and took several pictures that made it appear as though she had lived there for years.

However, “Kat’s” recipient's condition worsened, and the transplant was delayed. As a result, “Kat” had to stay in the apartment for longer than the agreed-upon two months.

During this time, “Kat” discovered more about the people behind the scheme, revealing that it is an organized group. The agents involved are former donors who have become middlemen: “Angie” and “Chu” Lumibao, who are also partners. According to “Kat,” the leader of the group is known as Boss A, or Allan Ligaya, who is a head nurse at NKTI. Ligaya serves as the financier, covering the costs of the house and paying the agents' salaries.

“Kat” says that the group already had 20 donors. She also learned that donors would usually receive P400,000, but the P200,000 is pocketed by the scheme’s leaders.

“Kat” started thinking twice about pushing through with the transplant. However, she heard stories that when they visit Allan at NKTI, they end up dead in a black body bag.

“Nagtatalo kasi 'yung isip ko, saka 'yung puso ko kung tatakas ako kasi iniisip ko 'yung anak ko,” “Kat” cried. “Bata pa nung anak ko, paano ako aalis? Sino bubuhay sa kanya? 'Yung partner ko po kawawa, naawa rin po ako sa kanya.”

[“I don't know what to do. I wanted to run away, but I kept thinking about my child. If I left, who would take care of them? I felt so sorry for my partner.”] 

“Kat” eventually told her partner about her situation. 

The transplant

After almost five months of waiting in the dorm, “Kat” was brought to a private hospital in Quezon City for the operation. The agreement was that “Kat” would donate her right kidney, which had a lower function.

But when “Kat” woke up, she was in for a big surprise.

“Nu’ng nasa recovery room na ako, pagkapa ko sa tagiliran ko, ‘yung kaliwa ang kinuha. 'Yung 80% to 90% recent na malakas ang function ng kidney ko. ‘Yun ang kinuha nila. Ang iniwan nila is ‘yung 50%-60% na function. Wala na akong nagawa.”

["In the recovery room, I found out that they had taken the kidney with 80-90% function. They left behind the weaker kidney with only 50-60% function. I couldn’t do anything about it.”]

“Kat” eventually received the promised ?200,000, but it was disbursed in installments. She was able to return home to her partner and child and pay off her debts. However, the problems didn’t end there. Despite being promised post-surgery check-ups, these never took place.

Saving donors

In mid-July, the apartment was raided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) National Capital Region, wherein they were able to rescue nine people, including a married couple who brought their child.

They also rescued a 20-year-old named “Bern,” who had undergone a transplant the day before and had a fresh surgical scar on his left side. Most of the other donors were still awaiting their operations.

Bern was promised P200,000 which he planned on using for his school tuition, but was only paid P2,000.

“Steve” was paid P50,000, which he used to buy an iPhone and pay his debts.

“Pinky,” who has been recovering for four months, was promised P250,000 but was given less than P100,000.

“Fer,” who was operated on last October, chose to stay in the apartment with his family, because their partner is also awaiting a kidney transplant.

The officers also caught “Angie”, and recovered a P200,000 payment from her bag.

Angie said their main tasks as agents would be to organize donors’ documents for the doctors. Back when she was a donor, she was tasked to look for recipients. “Angie” said that she stayed in the operation to support her children’s studies.

Meanwhile, “Chu” said he stayed because of Angie.

The two individuals were initially reported to the Department of Justice before being transferred to the NBI Detention Facility at the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City. Following these arrests, "Kat" and the other donors have been receiving death threats.

Meanwhile, NKTI confirmed that Ligaya is their employee in the Endoscopy Department, but is not a head nurse. But following their internal investigation, Ligaya denied every allegation and said that he did not know the suspects at all and that he is not part of the illegal kidney transplant scheme.

In a media briefing, the NKTI stated that Ligaya has worked as a nurse at the center for 23 years and that his department is not involved in kidney transplants, thus he does not have access to those areas. The institute has also reassigned Ligaya to a different position.

The NKTI also stated that if Ligaya’s involvement is proven, they will fully cooperate with the investigation. Should evidence emerge, they will file an administrative case against him, separate from the NBI’s charges.

Ligaya has not yet released an official statement beyond his previous comments. “KMJS” also attempted to contact him, but he did not respond.

For victims of this illegal organ donation scheme, psychologist Randy Dellosa recommends seeking emotional support or talking to someone about their feelings. Dellosa explained that this is known as "half-man" or "half-person" syndrome, where donors may feel as though they are missing something essential.

“Marami kayong pagdadaanang mga emotions, posibleng pagsisisi, panghihinayang, depression, anxiety, galit,” he said. “I-monitor ninyo kung dumadaan kayo sa depression o anxiety kasi meron mga taong nag-donate ng kidney tapos na-fi-feel nila parang may kulang na sa kanila. Isang emotional support ay makahanap kayo ng makakausap para ma-share ang damdamin ninyo.” he added.

[“These victims are likely to experience a range of emotions, including regret, depression, anxiety, or even anger. It is important for them to be vigilant for signs of depression or anxiety, as some individuals who have donated a kidney may feel as though something essential is missing. It would be helpful for them to find someone they can talk to and share their feelings with."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News