Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Gracie Rutao

PAMPANGA — Over 160 children rescued from the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. are now under the safe custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 3 – Central Luzon, after allegedly experiencing various forms of abuse.According to reports, during a regular quarterly visit by their social workers on August 10, several children complained of alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse inside the care facility.They described being tied up with thick chains like dogs, being beaten, hit with a rattan stick (arnis), and locked in rooms.The DSWD acted immediately on Thursday morning and conducted a thorough assessment of the rescued children.After the assessment, the DSWD will provide appropriate interventions such as psychosocial support and protective services to help the children cope with trauma and ensure their safety.Social workers remain focused on giving each child the necessary support.The regional DSWD office has coordinated with the PNP (Philippine National Police), and the alleged lead pastor was arrested last night. The inquest is scheduled on Thursday.According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure the suspect — a foreign national — cannot leave the country.“Facility ito kung saan dapat sila tumutuloy para maprotektahan pero instead doon sila sinasaktan,” said Sec Gatchalian.A cease and desist order has been issued on the said facility.<script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABegZlsROGOmTDMJ"></script>

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure that the suspect — a foreign national — cannot leave the country.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure that the suspect — a foreign national — cannot leave the country.

160 children allegedly abused in Pampanga now safe with DSWD

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Regions

160 children allegedly abused in Pampanga now safe with DSWD

Gracie Rutao

Published August 14, 2025 07:15 PM PHT

|

Updated August 14, 2025 10:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Regions

Abused kids

Rescue

DSWD

Department of Social Welfare and Development

Pampanga

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.