DSWD, Meta to map action vs online baby trade

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is taking action against social media pages that engage in the illegal buying and selling of babies. It revealed Thursday, June 13, 2024, that it met with representatives of Meta, which owns Facebook, to formulate plans to address the problem. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is taking action against social media pages that engage in the illegal buying and selling of babies.

It revealed Thursday that it met with representatives of Meta, which owns Facebook, to formulate plans to address the problem.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said they are working on a campaign with Meta to stop this illicit activity on social media.

READ: DSWD renews call to Facebook to remove sites that sell babies

“We have created a working relationship with Meta whether to report to them directly or through reporting channels to create a more robust mechanism. And to also work with them on developing a campaign against human trafficking,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“We have to treat this (online illegal adoption) with the same severity [as] how Meta takes immediate action on the violations of the Anti-OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) law,” he added.

READ: DOJ: Baby sale on FB ‘prevalent’; 500 accounts so far taken down

DSWD Undersecretary Janella Estrada said that 16 out of 23 Facebook pages that engage in baby trade were taken down. However, she added, new similar pages have emerged.

The DSWD previously reminded the public not to patronize the buying and selling of babies because it is prohibited by law as it is considered human trafficking.

It pointed out that couples or people who want to care for or raise a baby or child may do so through legal adoption.