BABY SELLERS AND BUYERS ARRESTED

There are lots of interesting stories on adoption today. A friend mentioned why baby buyers are never prosecuted. It is because they are the ones getting ripped off and end up reporting it. However in this story, both are being charged with crimes. It needs to happen more often in my opinion, then maybe the adoption industry would put the brakes on with encouraging of entitlement.

Here is the link.

Breaking News / Metro
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20081015-166551/Baby-sellers-buyer-charged

Baby sellers, buyer charged

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted date: October 15, 2008

MANILA, Philippines—A couple who allegedly sold their six-month-old grandson for P30,000 was charged at the Manila regional trial court Wednesday.

Charged with serious illegal detention were Alexander and Marivic Pineda, residents of Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Manila City Prosecutor Jhosep Lopez also ordered the filing of corresponding charges against the alleged buyer of the infant, Arturo Tolentino, 40, a school teacher from Tondo, Manila.

No bail was recommended for the provisional release of the three accused.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the baby's mother, Jonalyn Calbay, 25, a resident of Purok 3, Lone 6, Pena Francia, Cunang, Antipolo City.

Investigation showed the baby was "borrowed" by the Pinedas from his mother on August 2, 2007. Calbay apparently entrusted her child to the couple who was her husband's relatives.

However, when Calbay was about to pick up the baby two days later, she was allegedly told by the couple that her child was adopted by a doctor from Cebu.

Calbay told investigators that after she pleaded with her uncle to return the child, he admitted that the baby was actually still in Manila and had been sold to Tolentino.

Calbay said when she was finally able to talk to Tolentino on cellular phone, the latter reportedly said that she could have her child back if she could come up with P30,000.

This prompted the complainant to seek the help of the police who immediately set up an entrapment operation against Tolentino.

Tolentino was arrested by elements of Manila Police District Women's and Children's Concern Section on U.N. Avenue, Ermita, during entrapment operation conducted on September 18, 2007 at the Tutuban Mall in Divisoria.