MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will file criminal charges against an American pastor accused of abusing children under his care in a social welfare 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 Field Office 3 (FO-3) and the Pampanga Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk. His arrest was made under Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, which carries penalties of six to 20 years in prison.

The arrest came around eight hours after authorities rescued 156 children—78 boys and 78 girls—from the facility following complaints of physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, along with findings of fire hazards, mismanagement of funds, improper case management, and non-compliance with DSWD licensing and accreditation standards.

“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 (HDO) on Mr. Ferguson to make sure that he will face his criminal cases in court,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

Earlier that day, Gatchalian issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against the NLBCMPI, citing the DSWD’s authority to protect children from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other harmful conditions. The order was served by FO-3 personnel led by Regional Director Venus Rebuldela.

The rescued children have been placed under the temporary protective custody of the FO-3 Reception and Study Center for Children in Lubao, Pampanga.