Try and search the forums for others from the PI. I know many members have posted about the law in the Philippines. It's unique compared to every other country that I've seen. They just needed some sort of paper about custody laws in the PI.
I'm afraid if you try to find the father, or post in the paper. You're going to get a lot of hands holding out for a pay off.
I'd also talk to another layer.
Do not follow this advice until you answer this question.
Was your wife married previously to the child's father?
This is very important as single mothers in the Philippines have sole custody. They do not give the father any rights if not married. So you do not need that father's permission for anything if they were never married. You need to show that lawyer case law from the PI not what he thinks he needs in the USA.
Someone posted on here awhile ago that you can add a fraudster's name to some FB page, or website. You can search around on Google, it would show something. Sadly most of the time ppl don't go looking for those sites until it's too late.
Sadly this does not look good. It really is too bad your wife didn't adopt him years ago. I know things just work different over there and it wasn't on her mind. Good luck with everything.
The chickens are laying again. About time they started back up. Slackers I tell ya!
Geckos have laid eggs too, and two more have hatch this week. At least I charge more for them
~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 Process and Procedures~~
Over the years we have had others go down this path. The PI is actually pretty easy for the adoption process if the parents were never married. You should be able to do a search on here to find that information. I think many just submit a copy of the PI law that explains how custody works in the PI.
I have recently learned that these microchips are causing so many issues in our pets. Moving forward I will not get my pets microchip. If for some reason any of my animals need surgery for something, I will also get the chip removed.