The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 3 – Central Luzon has arrested an American pastor accused of numerous counts of child abuse and other violations at his care facility in Mexico, Pampanga.
Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, director of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. (NLBCMPI) in Barangay Pandacaqui, was arrested late Wednesday, August 13, by DSWD FO-3 personnel and the Pampanga Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk.
The arrest was based on Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The law imposes penalties ranging from prision mayor (6 years and 1 day to 12 years) up to reclusion temporal (12 years and 1 day to 20 years).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against NLBCMPI, which was served the same day. The arrest took place about eight hours after the rescue of 156 children from Ferguson’s custody. Complaints against the facility include physical, verbal, and psychological abuse; fire hazards; mismanagement of funds; improper case management; and non-compliance with registration, licensing, and accreditation standards.
“We will be filing criminal cases against Pastor Ferguson based on the complaints of children who experienced abuse while under his custody. We will also request the Bureau of Immigration to issue a Hold Departure Order to ensure he faces his cases in court,” Gatchalian said.
All 156 children—78 boys and 78 girls—are now under the protective custody of the FO-3’s Reception and Study Center for Children in Lubao, Pampanga.
