​THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has intensified its nationwide campaign against illegal adoption, online baby-selling, and other forms of child abuse. ​Assistant Secretary Rowena Macalintal said the drive, conducted in coordination with the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), is in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to DSWD Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian to step up efforts against child trafficking and unlawful adoption schemes. ​Authorities recently rescued two infants who were allegedly being sold by their mothers or intermediaries in an operation led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center. ​“Children do not need to be sold because the government provides assistance, and selling babies or conducting online adoption is illegal,” Macalintal said. ​The agency reiterated that families must follow child protection laws and legal adoption processes, while discouraging illegal arrangements that place minors at risk. ​Macalintal added that the NACC works closely with the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to track and apprehend individuals involved in unlawful child transactions. ​She noted that authorities are consolidating cases and monitoring digital platforms such as Facebook. ​Macalintal reported that law enforcers carried out five entrapment operations in 2024, eight in 2025, and seven more in early 2026, reflecting a rise in baby-selling incidents. ​From 20 successful operations, authorities rescued 22 minors and arrested 32 suspects. One conviction has already been secured for qualified trafficking, which is punishable by 20 years to life imprisonment and fines of P2 million to P5 million. ​“There is no reason to engage in illegal adoption because the process is now simplified and faster,” Macalintal said. ​“If you cannot care for a child, surrender them to DSWD residential care centers or other legal government institutions instead of abandoning them,” she added.