National Authority for Child Care (NACC) Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada is urging Filipinos to report Facebook groups involved in online baby-selling to protect children and uphold their rights, as seven active groups remain.
Sixteen out of 23 active Facebook groups facilitating online baby selling have been removed.
However, NACC pointed out that seven groups remain active on Facebook.
“Our campaign against online baby selling is a shared responsibility of every Filipino. We cannot, in good conscience, allow these groups to operate and provide a platform for such criminal acts,” Estrada said in a statement on Friday, Dec. 20.
Since May, NACC, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center, the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and the National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division, has rescued seven children.
“Together, we can put an end to the practice of illegal practice. Let’s unite as one community, and ensure that every Filipino child grows up in a safe and loving environment. I urge everyone to help us take down these groups,” Estrada said.
NACC also called on the public to report any other illegal adoption activities to local authorities, including the PNP, Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, and barangays.
The NACC, established under Republic Act No. 11642, serves as the Philippines’ central authority for adoption and alternative child care.
Through streamlined processes for domestic and inter-country adoption, foster care, and other forms of alternative care, NACC works with partners to promote legal adoption and combat illegal adoption practices such as online baby selling.