CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An American national who is the subject of numerous complaints by children over alleged abuse has been arrested by the Pampanga Police’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 3.
Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, director of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc. (NLBCMPI) located in District 12, Barangay Pandacaqui, Mexico town was arrested late Wednesday evening for violation of RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).
The complainants claimed they experienced physical, verbal, and psychological abuse while under the care of Ferguson’s social welfare and development agency (SWADA) in the said town.
The law imposes penalties of up to 12 years in prison for child abuse cases.
“We will be filing criminal cases against Pastor Ferguson based on the complaints of children who have experienced physical, verbal, and psychological abuse while under his custody. We will also be requesting the Bureau of Immigration to issue a Hold Departure Order on Mr. Ferguson to make sure that he will face his criminal cases in court,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
On Wednesday morning, Gatchalian issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against NLBCMPI, which was served on the same day by personnel of DSWD-3, headed by director Venus Rebuldela.
Noting the gravity of the infractions, Gatchalian said the issuance of the CDO against SWADA was “pursuant to the authority, regulatory powers, and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the DSWD to assist in the protection of the rights of children from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.”
Ferguson’s arrest came some eight hours after the rescue of 156 children from his custody based on complaints of physical abuse, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, presence of fire hazards, mismanagement of funds, and non-compliance with the DSWD Registration, License to Operate and Accreditation standards.
All 156 residents of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico – 78 boys and 78 girls – have been temporarily placed under the protective custody of the DSWD-3’s Reception and Study Center for Children in Lubao, Pampanga.
On Thursday, Gatchalian checked on the condition of the Pampanga child abuse victims, aged 3 months to 17 years.
“The DSWD strongly condemns any act of abuse against children and reaffirms its commitment to protect their rights and ensure their welfare,” Gatchalian said. Punto News Team/DSWD Release
The post DSWD to file charges vs. American pastor for child abuse appeared first on Punto! Central Luzon.