THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development appealed to the public to report cases of child trafficking, including the facilitation of illegal adoption of children.

The agency 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 in a statement.

“The Department is also one of the members of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which monitors the implementation of Republic Act 10364 or The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012,” it added.

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

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

The department said that concerned citizens may report cases of trafficking through the following numbers:

• PNP Patrol 911 911
• PNP WCPC Luzon 0945-863-2235 or (022)420-6460
• PNP WCPC Visayas (032) 410 84 83
• PNP WCPC Mindanao 0928-604-6425 or 0917-180-6037
• PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (02) 723-0401 local 5354 Fax No. (02) 414-1560
• NBI (02) 523-8231 to 38 local 3454 to 3455
• DOJ Office of Cybercrime (02) 524-82-16
• DSWD Psychosocial Support Hotline/ RRPTP Hotline – (02) 8931-9141
• Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO)/IACAT- 1343
• Bantay Bata 163