CHR urges crackdown on alarming rise in online ‘child selling’
Provided by INQUIRER.net.
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the government to crack down on online "child selling."
In a statement Friday, the CHR said it had documented “several alarming cases” of online "child selling."
“CHR calls on the government to… strengthen monitoring and regulation of online platforms (against "child selling"), enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities, and ensure the swift prosecution and conviction of perpetrators,” the commission said.
READ: CHR: Barriers, discrimination persist despite solo parent law
“No child should ever be bought, sold, or treated as a commodity,” it stressed.
The commission further said that "child selling" constitutes child trafficking, citing Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and RA 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
CHR also cited Article 35 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates state parties to prevent the abduction, sale, and trafficking of children.
“Legal adoption safeguards the rights and welfare of the child. It is imperative that prospective adoptive parents follow lawful procedures,” it added, mentioning RA 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.
READ: CHR: Passage of bill ensuring child support will foster accountability
The CHR’s call was prompted by the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center rescuing a month-old baby last July 3 in Pasay City.
The infant was reportedly being sold for ₱90,000.
The National Authority for Child Care said it had monitored at least 12 online child-selling groups on social media with around 200,000 members as of last June. /jpv/abc
(2025/07/18-08:57)
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