Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

DSWD

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755485550369cropped-Screen Shot 2025-08-18 at 10.50.52 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The children were provided psychosocial first aid and one-on-one counseling sessions through its Psychosocial Support Team, which is composed of a psychologist, psychometrician, and social workers, DSWD said.</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it was providing trauma support to <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/14/160-children-allegedly-abused-in-pampanga-now-safe-with-dswd-1915">some 160 children rescued last week</a> for alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse from a facility in Pampanga.</p><p>The DSWD shut down New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc., founded by Pastor Jeremy Keith Ferguson, on August 13 over alleged child abuse and other safety violations.</p><p>The children were provided psychosocial first aid and one-on-one counseling sessions through its Psychosocial Support Team, which is composed of a psychologist, psychometrician, and social workers, DSWD said.</p><p>&quot;Our priority is to make sure that the children are safe and cared for. We want them to feel that they are protected and that the government is here to support them in their recovery,&quot; DSWD Field Office 3-Central Luzon Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said.</p><p>The agency said in a statement Sunday that Ferguson, 48, &quot;will have his day in court&quot; for the alleged abuses, saying also that the Bureau of Immigration has placed him on its watchlist to make sure he will attend court hearings.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/17/american-pastor-arrested-for-alleged-abuse-of-children-under-his-care-in-pampanga-1136">American pastor arrested for alleged abuse of children under his care in Pampanga</a></div><p>The DSWD said it also provided hygiene and sleeping kits, nutritious meals, and medical support to ensure their safety and well-being. </p><p>&quot;Structured activities, such as play therapy and film viewing, were also initiated to help the children adjust to their new environment,&quot; it added.</p><p>They also underwent physical check-ups and medical assessments, including dental aging procedures for some of the victims involved in reported abuse cases to confirm their age.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LEGAL ACTION</strong></div><p>Initial assessment by social workers documented at least 29 children as victims of violations of various laws, including Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code on unlawful detention, abandonment, and failure to provide protection.</p><p>Rebuldela said the assessments would support the filing of appropriate legal action against the alleged perpetrators</p><p>&quot;Hindi natin hahayaan na muling maranasan ng mga batang ito ang pang-aabuso. Kasabay ng psychosocial support, sisiguraduhin natin na mabibigyan sila ng hustisya,&quot; she said in a statement.</p><p>Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros wants the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality to launch an investigation on the allegations of child abuse. </p><p>The DSWD said it has started the transfer of rescued children to appropriate residential care facilities based on their individual needs.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/18/more-than-70-kids-from-baptist-orphanage-to-be-transferred-dswd-1034">More than 70 kids from Baptist orphanage to be transferred - DSWD</a></div><p>On August 15, 10 children aged 6 to 17 were transferred to the Kanlungan ng Kabataan in Angeles City, the agency said. It was followed by the transfer of 15 children aged 13 to 17 to Haven for Girls in Magalang, Pampanga, on August 16.  </p><p>Meanwhile, some 27 children will be moved to the Regional Home for Girls in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and 20 children to the Tarlac Lingap Center in Tarlac City.</p><p>The Pampanga provincial government has also extended additional support by providing clothing and hygiene supplies, as well as free haircut and grooming services for the children.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UsSIU1jBiRk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development said Monday it was providing trauma support to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/14/160-children-allegedly-abused-in-pampanga-now-safe-with-dswd-1915">some 160 children rescued last week</a> for alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse from a facility in Pampanga.</p>

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said Monday it was providing trauma support to some 160 children rescued last week for alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse from a facility in Pampanga.

DSWD provides trauma support to 160 kids rescued for alleged abuse in Pampanga

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DSWD provides trauma support to 160 kids rescued for alleged abuse in Pampanga

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2025 10:54 AM PHT

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Updated August 18, 2025 03:03 PM PHT

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Jeremy Keith Ferguson

New Life Baptist Church of Mexico

Pampanga

DSWD

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