Philippines: National Authority for Child Care requested that Meta Philippines remove groups associated with child trafficking

On 6 March 2026, the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) requested that Meta Philippines remove Facebook groups and accounts reported to be involved in online child trafficking, illegal adoption, and exploitation. The NACC encouraged social media intermediaries to restrict access to platforms reportedly used for online baby sales and other forms of child exploitation. Platforms may be held liable under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 (RA 11862) if they knowingly or through gross negligence allow such activities. The announcement followed an operation by the Philippine National Policewomen and Children Protection Center, which led to the rescue of four children and the arrest of two individuals reportedly attempting to sell a five-day-old infant for PHP 35’000. The NACC noted that online platforms have both legal and ethical responsibilities to prevent their services from being used for criminal activity involving children.