Police rescue two infants sold online; mothers arrested

Police undercover operatives rescued two infants allegedly being sold online by their mothers in separate entrapment operations this week, authorities said.

On 20 January, officers from the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) rescued a one-year-old boy in Quezon City. The operation resulted in the arrest of the child’s 26-year-old mother, who is currently three months pregnant.

Police Brig. Gen. Sheila Portento, chief of the WCPC, said the woman attempted to sell the boy for P25,000. The suspect reportedly told investigators she has seven children and received no financial support from her husband.

A second operation in Batangas City on 21 January led to the rescue of a 3-month-old boy. His 26-year-old mother, who recently returned from Vietnam, allegedly offered the infant for illegal adoption for P75,000. Portento said the mother claimed she intended to use the money to return to Vietnam for work.

The rescued infants were turned over to social workers, while both mothers are being held at Camp Crame while the suspects face charges of child trafficking and violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. Conviction carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment.