ILLEGAL SELLING OF BABIES ONLINE, PBBM CONCERNED AND WANTS TO INTERVENE

Selling of babies online to put an end by the government (Photo courtesy of Rappler)

The Department of Justice will intensify its pursuit of online black-markets where the illegal sale of babies is rampant. According to DOJ Assistant Secretary Dominic Clavano, President Marcos Jr. is also concerned with the growing number of cases of children being sold.

“The President himself wants to intervene in this problem. He believes that we won't be able to progress, there will be no progression in the Philippines if problems like this exist,” Clavano stated.

“We have reporting mechanisms down to the barangay level, because we all know that this type of crime is kept secret. So, the barangay leaders, councilors, community leaders, and to those influential in their communities can also report to authorities,” he added.

The DOJ has reached out to Facebook's parent company Meta to immediately delete accounts used to sell babies. The DOJ has closed more than 500 Facebook accounts. They remind that not only online sellers will face qualified trafficking, illegal baby buyers are also complicit in the assault.

"We really can't stop that, so please immediately report to the authorities if we see any conversation or value floated by the sellers, the buyer should know that what they are doing is illegal and, in that way, they are also liable for qualified trafficking in persons,” he stated.

A whole-of-nation approach is needed to combat the sale and illegal adoption of children including the private sector, communities, civil society, and social platforms the assistant secretary noted.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that justice would be served and will never allow anyone to exploit children in any way, he said that children are the most precious treasures of society that is meant to be fully protected by law, “They are the best investments of today for a better tomorrow.”

Source: Philippine News Agency

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