DOJ: 1 nabbed over sale of 6-day old baby for P25K

Authorities have arrested an individual for selling a six-day old baby for P25,000 through social media, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday.

According to the DOJ, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) arrested the woman during an entrapment operation in Muntinlupa City on July 16.

The operation was conducted in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOJ-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and the Cyber-Tip Monitoring Center.

This was after the NBI-HTRAD received information from the Cyber-Tip Monitoring Center that the individual was allegedly selling a baby on social media.

After intelligence gathering and verification, an NBI undercover agent communicated with the woman, who introduced herself as a midwife. They agreed to meet up in Muntinlupa, where she was later arrested.

According to the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), the midwife is 51 years old.

Meanwhile, the baby was turned over to the DSWD.

The DOJ said a case was also filed against the perpetrator for violation of the Section 4(g) RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 and RA 11862 also known as the "Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Child Trafficking under RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act in relation to RA 10175 or  Cybercrime Prevention Act.

She underwent inquest proceedings at the DOJ on July 17.

“The successful operation underscores the ongoing efforts of the government to combat human trafficking and protect the most vulnerable members of the society,” the DOJ said in a statement.

For their part, NACC Undersecretary Janella Estrada said that the arrest was crucial in the government’s fight against child trafficking and illegal adoption.

“We commend the NBI and all involved agencies for their swift and decisive action. The NACC remains committed,” she said in a separate statement.

The NACC and the Department of Social Welfare and Development previously raised the alarm on the illegal adoption and sale of babies over social media.— RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News