8-month-old twins rescued after being sold twice in Aurora and Pampanga

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Eight-month-old twin babies were rescued after being sold twice—first by their own mother, and second by the buyer located in Baler, Aurora.

In a “24 Oras” report by Maki Pulido on Monday, it was the twins' grandmother who reported to authorities in August that her grandchildren were missing.

Police investigations revealed that the twins were handed over to an individual unknown to the mother, who received payment via a digital wallet following the transaction.

After securing a warrant to disclose data, the Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the individual who bought the twins for P30,000.

“Chineck natin yung location nung may hawak ng number ba ‘yon, kaya napadpad tayo doon sa Aurora,” a police officer said.

(We checked the location of the owner of that phone number, which led us all the way to Aurora.)

On October 21, authorities located the first buyer in San Luis, Baler, Aurora, but learned that the twins were no longer there as they had been resold to a couple in Candaba, Pampanga.

On Sunday, the twins were rescued by the PNP Southern Police District and turned over to the custody of the Taguig City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Authorities said the suspect will face charges for human trafficking and child abuse, adding that the mother may also be held accountable.

“Sa ngayon, we are contemplating na isama yung mother, kasi yon naman ang puno’t dulo eh,” authorities said.

(For now, we are considering including the mother in the charges, because she ultimately started this.)

They noted that police investigations are still ongoing regarding the first buyer of the twins, as the individual may have been repeatedly buying and selling children.

Authorities added that when they located the first buyer in Aurora, they found a 10-year-old child and a 6-month-old baby whose parents the suspect could not identify.

“Titingnan namin kasi nakuha nga namin ‘yung number, ‘yung cellphone. May pamamaraan naman tayo para pa ma-trace, ma-check kung ano pa ‘yung mga possible transaction kasi baka hindi lang ito ‘yung nakikita natin na maging previous transaction ng taong ito,” the authorities said.

(We will look into it because we recovered the phone number and the cellphone. We have ways to trace and check for other possible transactions, as this might not be the only previous deal this person has made.)

The Council for the Welfare of Children warned that individuals proven to be involved in activities that include the selling of children face severe penalties, emphasizing that there are proper legal processes for adoption and foster care that ensure the safety and welfare of children.

“Maraming purpose na masasama ang pagbebenta ng bata. May mga bata pong ibinebenta for the purposes of child labor… child exploitation, for slavery, may for purposes of organ-harvesting. There are bad things that can happen to children if we do not follow the law,” the CWC said.

(There are many malicious motives behind selling children. Some children are sold for child labor, child exploitation, slavery, or even organ harvesting. Bad things can happen to children if we do not follow the law.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News