The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public that Pastor Jeremy Keith Ferguson, the American founder and director of a Pampanga-based child care facility, will have his day in court for child abuse cases as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed him in its watchlist that effectively prevents him from leaving the country.
The BI has also issued a commitment order dated August 15 directing the transfer of Ferguson to the BI Warden Facility in Bicutan, Taguig City. The order came after the Mexico, Pampanga office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) referred the case to the BI as it requested assistance in handling the custody of the American national.
Director Megan Manahan of the DSWD’s Standards Bureau (SB) has confirmed that Pastor Ferguson has already been placed on the BI’s watch list which will ensure his attendance in all court hearings until the child abuse cases should have reached their logical conclusion.
“So, ibig sabihin na ito, talagang sure tayo nandito siya sa Pilipinas para harapin yung mga kailangan niyang harapin dun sa mga abuso na ginawa niya po,” Director Manahan told DZMM’s ‘Serbisyong DSWD for EveryJuan,” on Saturday (August 16).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier issued a cease and desist order (CDO) dated August 13 against the 48-year-old pastor, who was the founder and director of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc. (NLBCMPI). This was after the DSWD uncovered his alleged abuses against minors under his care, and his facility’s failure to comply with standards that ensure the proper protection of children-residents.
The CDO was served to Ferguson by the Field Office 3 -Central Luzon led by Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, assisted by the Pampanga Police Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk, which later resulted in Ferguson’s arrest on the same day.
Pastor Ferguson is now charged with two counts of violation of Section 10 (a) of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Each count carries a recommended bail of Php80,000.
Director Manahan explained that while the charges are technically bailable, Ferguson cannot be released due to his immigration case.
“Bailable po siya pero dahil may immigration charge din po siya, hindi siya makakalaya. Parang doon naman siya ico-commit sa Bureau of Immigration po,” Director Manahan pointed out.
The abuse allegations surfaced after the agency’s Standards Bureau (SB) team conducted a spot monitoring of the facility last August 12. During the inspection, several children disclosed having experienced physical, verbal and psychological abuse allegedly committed by Ferguson and some house parents.
Amid efforts to seek justice and accountability for the alleged perpetrators, the SB director cited the swift coordination among government agencies that made sure that the best interest of the children was the main concern throughout the process.
“Ang ganda po ng interagency coordination natin with the PNP, with the Bureau of Immigration, and DSWD. That same day nung na-rescue (mga children), na-arrest na rin po (si Ferguson). So, with PNP na po, pero si Bureau of Immigration, nag-start na rin po ng proceedings nila,” Director Manahan said.
The rescued children have been under the protective custody of the Field Office-3 since their rescue last August 13 and they are now being given psychosocial support and other appropriate interventions by DSWD social workers. (LSJ)
