DSWD urges public to report cases of child trafficking

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday appealed to the public to report cases of child trafficking, including the facilitation of illegal adoption of children in various social media sites.

The DSWD encouraged the public to strictly uphold the rights and protection of children by ensuring that they will be provided with a secure, nurturing, and loving environment where they can grow and achieve their full potential.

“The Department will continue to work closely with law enforcement units and other concerned government agencies in ensuring that the best interest of children will be upheld at all times,” it said.

“The Department is also one of the members of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which monitors the implementation of Republic Act No. 10364 or The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012,” it added.

To recall, a 22-year-old mother sold her eight-month-old baby for P45,000to pay for a debt that she incurred in an e-sabong or online cockfight.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on March 22 rescued the baby in Sta. Cruz Laguna.

Arrested in the operation were live-in partners Imelda Maligiran and a Nigerian national identified as Maxwell Brine.

Aside from the suspects, the NBI said the mother would also face charges for selling her baby, particularly for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.