The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) on Monday highlighted intensified operations by the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center (PNP WCPC) against illegal adoption, child abuse, and child trafficking, following back-to-back entrapment and rescue operations last 04 February in Angeles, Pampanga, and Baliwag, Bulacan.

In the coordinated operations, authorities rescued a 2-day-old male infant in Angeles and a 3-month-old female infant in Baliwag, who were sold for P30,000 and P130,000, respectively. The former was taken to a hospital for medical attention, while the latter is now under the care of a safe haven.

Four suspects were arrested: one in Angeles and three in Bulacan. Initial investigations revealed that the Pampanga suspect attempted to give up her child due to an unplanned pregnancy and her other child’s epileptic condition, while the suspects in Bulacan cited the need for bail money for the infant’s incarcerated father and medical expenses for the grandfather’s operation.

The suspects face criminal cases in violation of Section 4(g) and Sections 6(a) and (d) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 and further amended by R.A. 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022; and Sections 7 and 10 of R.A. 7610, the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act,” in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175, the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.”

NACC emphasized that these cases highlight the need to strengthen protective mechanisms against child abuse, trafficking, and illegal adoption schemes, particularly those proliferating on social media platforms. The agency urged platform operators to heighten safeguards and actively dismantle illegal adoption groups exploiting vulnerable families and children online.

“The rescue of these infants shows the importance of vigilance. However, combating child trafficking requires cooperation across all sectors, including technology companies whose platforms are misused for these illicit activities,” NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada said. “Criminals can advertise and transact through social networking platforms, which are accessible, free, and often undetected. There are measures we can take to stop them,” Estrada added.

As of January 2026, the NACC monitored eight active Facebook groups facilitating illegal adoption and the sale of infants.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to coordinate with the PNP WCPC, other government agencies, and the private sector to protect children from exploitation and ensure perpetrators are held accountable under the law.