‘LF: Throwaway baby’: Underground selling of infants persists on Facebook

ARTICLE: HANAH COLEEN REFORMADO | FEBRUARY 10, 2024.

Mother holding her baby that she’s selling for PHP 11,000.00 at a park near port of Manila. | via Hanah Coleen P. Reformado

E-commerce platforms have made shopping more convenient and accessible in this digital age. However, the virtual connections blur the lines between reality and cyberspace, giving rise to a thriving black market where infants are being sold through Facebook.

In an investigation by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in 2023, Facebook pages dedicated to the sale of Filipino babies persist and multiply despite efforts to halt the illicit trade online.

PCIJ revealed 12 Facebook pages for illegal sale of babies within the country. Their investigation also identified at least five other groups seemingly originating abroad but hosting interactions from Filipinos, offering babies and toddlers for adoptions as well as inquires about adoption procedures.

This underground sale is an open secret to the country's impoverished communities. In a news report by Channel News Asia (CNA), a 29-year-old Filipino mother named ‘Christine’ shared her desire to sell her two-month-old baby for P11,000, to use the money for a fresh start in life.

According to Christine, when she learned about her pregnancy, she understood that her child would face immense challenges from birth as she resides in a poor community vulnerable to hunger and deprivation.

A baby broker advertises on Facebook, urging potential adopters to donate a minimum of 500 pesos to their GCash account in exchange for babies. Courtesy of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) told the CNA that the typical rate for an infant ranges between P5,000 and P25,000. Most of these transactions are made in cash, face-to-face, and usually take place in Metro Manila.

Danger and consequences

The term ‘adoption’ takes on a sinister connotation in the underground baby trade. Newborns are not guaranteed to be placed in loving homes but rather sold in this black market by their own mothers, relatives, and even baby brokers.

This trade is usually conducted through word of mouth. Sellers, brokers, and buyers alike take into keen-eyed operations to cover any evidence that could potentially expose their activities.

Due to its underground nature, there exists no official record that accurately reflects the scale of this trade in the country.

According to the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF), child trafficking is a global problem affecting large numbers of children, with some estimates have as many as 1.2 million children being trafficked every year.

Under the Republic Act 9208 known as Anti-Trafficking Person Act of 2003, children involved in illegal adoption are classified as trafficked individuals, a reality stated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of the United Nations, wherein a significant number of children globally are being exploited for domestic slavery.

Lack of social workers and lengthy adoption process

In July 2023, National Authority for Child Care (NACC) Undersecretary and Executive Director Janella Estrada said she had coordinated with Facebook and the NBI to remove the illegal adoption pages and track the perpetrators, urging the public to adopt legally and not online.

“I beg all of you not to patronize illegal adoption because this is an act of trafficking in persons, and you will be held liable under the law. Do not get scared of the legal process of adoption because this is for the protection of the child,” said Estrada.

NACC emphasized the importance of the nine-step adoption procedure, starting with attending a pre-adoption seminar, followed by the collection and analysis of information about prospective adoptive parents, submission of necessary documents, and a Home Study by a social worker. This protocol is crucial for the well-being of the children placed for adoption.

With the lengthy adoption process, Republic Act 11642 known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act has smoothed out the legal process eliminating the necessity of filing a court petition. What previously took years to complete can be finalized within six to nine months.

However, the scarcity of social workers remains a significant challenge. While safeguards are essential to prevent the exploitation of children, reforms are needed to streamline the adoption process.

The proliferation of online baby selling highlights the urgent need for action to protect the most vulnerable members of society. By strengthening child protection systems, supporting social workers, and reforming adoption laws, we can strive to create a world where every child is valued and given the opportunity to thrive.