Jonathan Frederic De Santos

An officer of the Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center holds a baby they rescued from an illegal adoption attempt. PNP-WCPC photo release

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767848198895G-Gy3SdbsAA3kn_.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>An officer of the Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center holds a baby they rescued from an illegal adoption attempt. PNP-WCPC photo release</div>MANILA — Authorities on Tuesday rescued a month-old baby boy whose own mother allegedly attempted to sell him through an illegal online adoption scheme in Quezon City.The Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center said the rescue was the result online monitoring that led operatives to an online post offering the infant for adoption in exchange for money.According to the WCPC, the child’s 17-year-old mother initially demanded P50,000 for the baby, which was later increased to P55,000.“Upon the validation ng team, nalaman na kahit nung buntis pa siya, pinaghahandaan niya nang ibenta ‘yung anak,” said Police BGen. Maria Sheila Portento, acting chief of the WCPC.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/11/woman-arrested-for-attempting-to-sell-her-baby-in-bulacan-2218">Woman arrested for attempting to sell her baby in Bulacan </a></div>Authorities launched an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of the minor mother, who told police that her family had rejected the child because she is still a minor. She said the money she was asking for was intended to pay her tuition so she could continue her studies.“‘Yung nanay is a minor, 17-year-old na batang babae. And then, ‘yung tatay naman nung sanggol, just turned 18. Dahil mga menor de edad ito, both parties itinakwil sila ng kanilang mga pamilya. So, hindi alam kung paano i-sustain ‘yung panganganak, ‘yung pag-alaga,” Portento said.Investigators later discovered that the attempt in Quezon City was not the first time the baby had been offered for sale.The WCPC said the mother was allegedly communicating with a potential adopter in Japan who had been sending money to them prior to the rescue.“Nakakatakot na kung hindi namin nakuha ‘yung bata, kanino mapupunta,” she added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/14/poverty-pushes-parents-to-sell-babies-online-chr-1359">Poverty pushes parents to sell babies online - CHR</a></div>The minor mother may face charges for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.“Hindi porket minor na nakagawa ng kasalanan, abswelto na sa batas. Meron tayong tinatawag na discernment na kung saan ia-assess sila ng social worker at ‘pag napatunayan na ito ay pinag-isipan at nasa tama silang pag-iisip nung ang krimen ay ginawa, mananagot sila sa batas,” Portento said.The WCPC also raised alarm over the growing number of similar cases, saying they had rescued 13 infants in the past two years.“And for this year, kasisimula lang ng taon, nakapag-operate na naman kami,” Portento said.She urged parents and families to guide and support young people facing unplanned pregnancies.The 17-year-old mother has been placed under protective custody as a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and was turned over to the Quezon City Social Services Development Department (SSDD) for proper discernment, intervention, psychosocial support, and possible diversion proceedings.Meanwhile, the rescued infant was also turned over to SSDD-Quezon City for immediate assessment, care, and appropriate child placement to ensure his safety and long-term well-being.

Authorities on Tuesday rescued a month-old baby boy whose own mother allegedly attempted to sell him through an illegal online adoption scheme in Quezon City.

Authorities on Tuesday rescued a month-old baby boy whose own mother allegedly attempted to sell him through an illegal online adoption scheme in Quezon City.

Month-old baby rescued from illegal online adoption attempt in QC

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Month-old baby rescued from illegal online adoption attempt in QC

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2026 01:01 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine National Police–Women and Children Protection Center

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act

Special Protection of Children Against Abuse

Exploitation and Discrimination Act

Quezon City

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