A mother from the Philippines is calling for help, full of remorse after selling her child. The husband of the woman who got addicted to online cockfighting also pleaded with the person who bought their child to return her to them.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Mother sells her child online - what was her reason behind it?
- The mother wants her child back after being sold
- The effect of gambling addiction on the family
Mother sells child online, now remorseful and wants her baby back
In an interview with Pasig News Today, a Filipina mother was crying for help because a few days had already passed, and they still had no idea of her sold child’s whereabouts.
The woman met the person who bought her child after posting in one of the groups on orphanages found on Facebook. The parent offered only about 20,000 Philippine pesos (less than S$600) in exchange for her 8-month-old baby, but the bid for the child's value was raised when many people started to get interested.
Desperate to pay off her gambling debt, the mum sold her youngest child to the highest bidder for 45,000 pesos, which is a little over S$1,200.
On March 3, 2022, the mother was able to have a conversation with the person who bought her child and asked for that person's name and identification card. They met and signed papers regarding the agreement in a fast-food chain. Unfortunately, the buyer did not spare a copy of the contract to the mother who sold her child.
The mother immediately regretted her decision and attempted to withdraw the contract and bring the child back. According to her,
"When I left, I contacted him and said that I would return the money and take back my child. But he already blocked me on social media."
The father in distress
According to the child's father, he had no idea that his wife could do such a thing. Furthermore, he said that his wife lied to him by saying that she would only go to her friend's house bringing her children with her.
Their youngest child was no longer with her when they returned home that day. His wife lied and said that the child was brought to his mother-in-law, the child's grandmother. It was the moment the father got the idea of the possibility that their child was sold when he found out that his wife was in huge debt.
The husband ordered his wife to call the child's grandmother so that he could talk to her until his wife started to cry hard and admitted what she had done. The husband went out of their house crying and asked his aunt for help.
Unfortunately, days have passed, but the couple still has no idea of their child's whereabouts.
The parents are calling out to the person who bought their child.
"We hope that you will bring us back our child. We will give you back the money you paid,"said the dad.
In the Philippines, it is illegal to adopt a child without coursing through the proper channels, and having someone take custody of your child through social media is punishable by law.
The effect of gambling addiction on the family
There is a huge negative impact of gambling addiction in a family. The state of being heavily in debt serves as the root of multiple problems. Aside from the financial aspect, family problems such as the following can be obtained from being addicted to gambling:
- Conflict in the family
- Emotional devastation
- Sexual dysfunction
- Violence
- Gambling and dependency
The child can also imitate this unhealthy habit, which can ruin their promising future ahead. One of its profound effects could also be the possibility of selling household items or belongings to pay for the debt. The worst-case would be like what was mentioned in the news, where the parents sell their child, their own flesh and blood to pay for their huge debt.
In case you know someone who is addicted to any form of gambling, here are the things you can do to help them:
- Ask for help and make them undergo professional counselling.
- Accept the truth that gambling addiction is an illness and have yourself educated about its possible effect.
- Maintain the love and understanding relationship between you and your loved ones.
Remember that support is essential for the person going through this problem. It would be easier and quicker for the person addicted to surpass this kind of illness if they get enough support from their loved ones.
The challenge for the family would not be easy as they may face the negative consequences of gambling that their loved ones have committed. However, the family would always be the people who could help the person control the problem due to being addicted to gambling.
Translated with permission from theAsianparent Philippines
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