By Aceelaine Duron
(July 19, 2024) – AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee filed House Resolution No. 1803 on Friday urging the Congress to investigate the reported organ trade also called as the “Human Bopis for Sale” scheme allegedly involving nurses and doctors.
“Sinasamantala ng mga ganitong modus ang mahihirap nating kababayan, lalo na ang mga gipit o ‘kapit sa patalim’ at desperado nang kumita para may pantustos sa pangangailangan ng pamilya,” he said.
“Many kidney donors, particularly those from vulnerable communities such as slums, are often unaware of the risks and side effects of the operation,” his House resolution reads.
Rep. Lee also emphasized that this activity is a clear violation of the “Organ Donation Act of 1991” and the “Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.”
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday arrested three individuals in San Juan del Monte, Bulacan, allegedly involved in the illegal sale of kidneys. Nine victims were reportedly lured with a payment of ₱200,000 in exchange for their internal organs.
“This may only be the tip of the iceberg. Sa pagsasaliksik ng aming opisina, naglipana na rin ang mga Facebook groups kung saan lantaran ang bentahan ng laman-loob ng tao,” Rep. Lee stated.
“Halimbawa nito ‘yung ‘kidney donor Philippines 2.0,’ isang search lang, lalabas na agad ang posts at comments na nag-aalok ng kidney—parang online pasa-buy pero laman-loob ang ibinibenta. May mga natanggap na rin tayong report na pati atay at dugo ng tao, talamak na rin ang bentahan.”
He further stressed that this requires an immediate and serious investigation to hold those victimizing many of our fellow citizens accountable as soon as possible.
“Pwedeng sindikato ang mga sangkot dito, at kung pababayaan lang na mamayagpag ang ganitong pakikipag-transaksyon sa demonyo at mga halang ang kaluluwa, ilan pang mga kababayan natin, kabilang na ang mga bata, ang pwedeng malinlang at malagay ang buhay sa peligro?”
The Department of Health (DOH) has earlier reiterated that organ selling is a form of human trafficking. DOH spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo even likened organ selling to prostitution, emphasizing that only voluntary donations are accepted, which must undergo medical screening and ethics clearance.
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