POLICE arrested a woman Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, for allegedly buying a newborn in a transaction uncovered after the infant’s parents were arrested for illegal gambling.
The suspect, identified only as “Zel,” 45, married and childless, was served an arrest warrant at 6:25 a.m. in Sitio Tabay, Barangay Guadalupe by operatives of the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit (Cidmu) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Police received a report that the newborn’s parents also sold their sixth child. Investigators are still trying to recover the child. The newborn recovered from Zel was the couple’s
seventh child.
The investigation began March 7 when the baby’s parents were arrested for illegal gambling in Barangay Duljo Fatima. Neighbors reported that the couple had sold their child, who was born that same month at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
The sale was confirmed when one of the couple’s other children told others their mother would buy a new cellphone after selling the youngest sibling. This prompted the Department of Social Welfare and Services and the CCPO to launch a rescue operation. They traced the transaction to a middleman, who was arrested and identified Zel as the buyer.
A closed-circuit television recording from CCMC shows the transaction took place outside the hospital.
Investigation revealed the infant was sold for P100,000. The parents reportedly received P30,000, while the middleman took P57,000. It was not clear who was supposed to receive the remaining P13,000.
One neighbor said they had suspected something for some time.
“Actually, during her seventh pregnancy, she left the hospital without carrying a baby. Even before that, while she was still in the hospital, it was rumored that the baby would be sold. So I was alarmed, like, what, it will be sold?” said the neighbor, who asked not to be identified.
Zel admitted to authorities buying the baby but did not have legal adoption documents.
The suspect faces charges for violating Republic Act 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022. Regional Trial Court Branch 20 Judge Leah Geraldez issued the arrest warrant last Friday, July 18, and set bail at P200,000 for her temporary release.
The infant’s parents also face trafficking charges, but without bail.
An operative from the Cidmu said Zel was No. 2 on their wanted list.
The City Prosecutor’s Office found strong evidence to file the anti-trafficking case against Zel in court on May 23. / AYB