19 cases filed vs. online child sellers since 2024 – PNP

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

PROTECTING CHILDREN. Philippine National Police-Women and Children’s Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) chief Brig. Gen. Maria Sheila Portento during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday (Feb. 9, 2026). She said 19 cases have been filed against 30 individuals involved in illegal adoption or online child selling since 2024. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police – Women and Children’s Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) has filed 19 cases against 30 individuals for illegal adoption or online child selling since 2024.

PNP-WCPC chief Brig. Gen. Maria Sheila Portento said five cases were filed in 2024, eight in 2025, and six so far this year.

Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday, Portento said one suspect was convicted in 2024 for human trafficking and violation of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

She said the WCPC conducted 19 operations from 2024 to Feb. 7, 2026, leading to the arrest of 30 individuals and the rescue of 21 victims.

Portento clarified that the data excludes cases outside online platforms.

Portento said the accessibility of online platforms has made child selling more prevalent and alarming.

“So kami masusi ang pag-iimbestiga namin kasi baka mas marami sa likod na hindi nakikita (So are very careful in our investigation because there may be more behind the scenes),” she said.

She said the PNP-WCPC is exerting efforts to raise the awareness of the community that adoption is no longer a difficult process with the help of National Authority for Child Care.

“Kung noong unang panahon dadaan kayo sa korte na pagkahaba-haba ng proseso, ngayon administrative na lang ‘yung proseso mas madali na (If in the past you had to go through a lengthy court process, now the process is just administrative, so it’s easier),” Portento said.