THE National Authority of Child Care (NACC) on Wednesday said that at least 23 Facebook pages selling babies are being monitored by the authorities.
The babies, according to Facebook pages, are selling between P10,00 and P100,000.
NACC executive director Janella Estrada said “Diyan po sila nag-uusap nang mag-aalok ng baby,” she told state television PTV.
“Kahit nasa tiyan pa lang ng mga biological mothers, naghahanap na po sila ng mga ahente, ng mga brokers para ampunin ang kanilang anak,” she added.
The agency has been coordinating with the Philippines National Police and other offices to trace and arrest individuals involved in the online selling of babies, Estrada said.
“Nagsend po kami ng letter sa Facebook Meta Philippines although wala pa pong reply sa amin,” she said.
“We shall intensify our information campaign para ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na mayroon pong NACC na puwedeng tumulong sa kanila patungkol sa adoption and child care cases,” she added.
Those who are buying and selling children may be slapped with trafficking and child abuse charges that may warrant a fine between P1 million and P5 million, the NACC official said.
They may also face imprisonment for a period not less than 20 years, she said.
metrosundaily
