Philippines’ abortion ban drives women to risky, underground services

The arrest of a 65-year-old woman accused of selling abortion pills in Manila has offered a glimpse into the shadow economy growing around ending unwanted pregnancies in the Philippines, one of the few countries in the world where the procedure remains criminalised in almost all circumstances.

For women and girls trying to end unwanted pregnancies, access often depends on online sellers, market vendors, whispered referrals and the uncertain quality of pills bought far from formal medical care, where complications can quickly become life-threatening.

A report by ABS-CBN News detailed the woman’s arrest during an entrapment operation following a tip-off that she was allegedly selling abortion pills alongside herbal tonics and traditional medicines in Quiapo, a district of Manila.

The woman was found with five packs of suspected abortion pills, reportedly sold for 3,500 pesos (US$57) per pack, alongside herbs, incense and folk remedies. Local media reported that the woman denied the allegations.

Quiapo has long been a hub for herbal medicines such as potions, balms and salves claiming to treat various ailments. It has also become a black market for illegal abortifacients, including bitter herbal concoctions claiming to induce abortions, and misoprostol, an unregistered drug in the Philippines used in obstetric care and medication abortion.

Some Filipinos on social media expressed sympathy for the vendor.