PNP: Cases of baby-selling online risingMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday expressed alarm over the rising cases of baby-selling following a series of anti-trafficking operations that led to the rescue of six children and arrest of seven suspects from Feb. 2 to 4. Gen. Maria Sheila Portento, director of the police Women and Children Protection Center, said some cases involved middlemen rather than biological mothers, raising fears that infants may be resold. Portento said traffickers use social media platforms resembling online marketplaces to advertise infants and to look for buyers, prompting police to coordinate with platforms for content takedown. The PNP continues to investigate online transactions, including those hosted overseas, while legal officers study ways to hold digital platforms accountable. Some infants were allegedly sold for as low as P10,000, cheaper than the price of puppies, according to Portento.

Source: Philippine Star February 09, 2026 16:41 UTC