House Committee on Human Rights Chairman and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. emphasized that a proper and thorough investigation must first be conducted before any action is taken against American pastor Jeremy Ferguson, who is facing child abuse allegations in Pampanga.
Abante said he does not want the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to deport Ferguson—at least not yet.
The veteran solon from Manila stressed that while the welfare of children must always be prioritized, allegations of this gravity require “the fullest measure of due process.”
“The more serious the allegations, the greater the need to establish the truth with care and impartiality,” Abante said.
“We must do what is necessary to protect our children, but we must do so consistent with the basic principles of human rights. Justice is not served when we pre-judge a man before the evidence has been fully weighed,” added the quad-comm chairman.
Abante said he had received reports that Ferguso’s child care facility has been in operation for eight years with proper permits. It has also undergone regular quarterly monitoring by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) without prior complaints, and has regularly received referrals from nearby city and municipal social welfare offices.
The congressman was made aware that the two minors who filed complaints were recent referrals from the Angeles City Social Welfare and Development Office—one having stayed at the facility for two months and the other for just one week.
The DSWD later visited the facility and interviewed the children on Aug. 12, then conducted a raid the following day, Aug. 13, forcibly taking the children despite their resistance.
That night, at around 10 p.m., DSWD personnel returned with a police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to arrest Pastor Ferguson.
Abante said these reports should be investigated, as they “highlight the need for a fair inquiry before any deportation proceedings”.
“As legislators, we are deeply concerned about the welfare of children; but we are also sworn to uphold the rule of law,” said the House leader.
“Let us not forget that both the children and the accused are entitled to justice—and justice requires truth, not haste,” he explained. (Ellson Quismorio)
