The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 3 – Central Luzon has arrested an American national accused of multiple counts of abuse and other violations at a social welfare and development agency (SWADA) in Mexico, Pampanga.
Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, director of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. (NLBCMPI) in Barangay Pandacaqui, was taken into custody late Wednesday, August 13, by DSWD Field Office 3 personnel and the Pampanga Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk. His arrest was carried out under the provisions of Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, which carries penalties of six years and one day to 20 years in prison.
Earlier that day, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against NLBCMPI, which was immediately served by Field Office 3, headed by Regional Director Venus Rebuldela. Ferguson’s arrest came around eight hours after 156 children were rescued from his custody.
The complaints against the facility include:
- Physical abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Presence of fire hazards
- Mismanagement of funds
- Improper case management
- Non-compliance with DSWD registration, licensing, and accreditation standards
“We will be filing criminal cases against Pastor Ferguson based on the complaints of children who experienced physical, verbal, and psychological abuse while under his custody,” Secretary Gatchalian said. He added that the DSWD will request the Bureau of Immigration to issue a Hold Departure Order to ensure Ferguson faces charges in court.
Secretary Gatchalian underscored the gravity of the infractions, citing the DSWD’s mandate to protect children from all forms of neglect, abuse, exploitation, and other conditions harmful to their development.
All 156 rescued children — 78 boys and 78 girls — are now under the protective custody of the DSWD Field Office 3’s Reception and Study Center for Children in Lubao, Pampanga.
