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Advocates Philippines
160 Abused Children Rescued From Pampanga Facility, Now Safely Under DSWD Care
Photo credit: DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has taken 160 children under its protection after uncovering disturbing cases of abuse at a care facility in Mexico, Pampanga.
The New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc. (NLBCMPI) has been ordered to cease operations following multiple reports of maltreatment from the children themselves. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian revealed that the abuses came to light during a routine quarterly inspection by the agency’s Standards Bureau (SB) on August 12.
According to Gatchalian, social workers from Central Luzon were approached by children who disclosed alarming experiences — from being tied with chains and locked in bathrooms to being deprived of food as punishment. The alleged abuser, Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, an American national serving as the facility’s director, was specifically named by the children.
Assistant Secretary Janet Armas of the Regulatory Services and Institutional Development Group confirmed that the SB team immediately documented the reports and assessed the facility. The findings were forwarded to Secretary Gatchalian, who wasted no time issuing a Cease and Desist Order on August 13. By that afternoon, the order was served with the assistance of the Pampanga Police Office, and Ferguson was arrested later that night under Republic Act 7610, which protects children from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
The rescue operation was a coordinated effort between the DSWD, Philippine National Police, and Commission on Human Rights. All 160 children have since been transferred to the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Lubao, Pampanga, where they are receiving proper care, psychosocial support, and interventions to help them recover from trauma.
To ensure accountability, the DSWD has also coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to issue a hold departure order against Ferguson, preventing him from leaving the country while facing criminal charges.
“This is about protecting the rights and dignity of every child under our watch,” said Armas, stressing that each rescued child will be carefully assessed and supported to rebuild their lives after such a harrowing experience.
The New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc. (NLBCMPI) has been ordered to cease operations following multiple reports of maltreatment from the children themselves. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian revealed that the abuses came to light during a routine quarterly inspection by the agency’s Standards Bureau (SB) on August 12.
According to Gatchalian, social workers from Central Luzon were approached by children who disclosed alarming experiences — from being tied with chains and locked in bathrooms to being deprived of food as punishment. The alleged abuser, Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, an American national serving as the facility’s director, was specifically named by the children.
Assistant Secretary Janet Armas of the Regulatory Services and Institutional Development Group confirmed that the SB team immediately documented the reports and assessed the facility. The findings were forwarded to Secretary Gatchalian, who wasted no time issuing a Cease and Desist Order on August 13. By that afternoon, the order was served with the assistance of the Pampanga Police Office, and Ferguson was arrested later that night under Republic Act 7610, which protects children from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
The rescue operation was a coordinated effort between the DSWD, Philippine National Police, and Commission on Human Rights. All 160 children have since been transferred to the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Lubao, Pampanga, where they are receiving proper care, psychosocial support, and interventions to help them recover from trauma.
To ensure accountability, the DSWD has also coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to issue a hold departure order against Ferguson, preventing him from leaving the country while facing criminal charges.
“This is about protecting the rights and dignity of every child under our watch,” said Armas, stressing that each rescued child will be carefully assessed and supported to rebuild their lives after such a harrowing experience.
Aug 15, 2025
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