By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) has called on social media company Meta Platforms Philippines to immediately remove Facebook groups and accounts allegedly being used for online child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation.
In a statement on Friday, NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito urged social media intermediaries to impose a total ban on groups that serve as platforms for “online baby selling” and other forms of child exploitation, adding that platforms cannot evade accountability by claiming they do not officially operate in the country.
“They are in fact liable under R.A. 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, if they knowingly or by gross negligence allow their internet infrastructure to be used to promote trafficking in persons,” she said.
She added online platforms also have a moral obligation to ensure their services are not used to facilitate crimes, especially those that harm vulnerable children.
The appeal came after an operation by the Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center in San Pedro City, Laguna, on Feb. 26 rescued four children and arrested two suspects accused of attempting to sell a five-day-old baby girl for PHP35,000.
Authorities said the suspects, aged 43 and 34 and believed to be common-law partners, were also attempting to sell a two-year-old child. Three other children aged 2, 11, and 12 found in their custody were also rescued after investigators determined they were at risk.
The two children allegedly offered for sale are now under protection while authorities are determining appropriate permanency plans for them.
The suspects may face charges under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. (PNA)
