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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abante calls for proper probe on American pastor in child abuse case

Abante calls for proper probe on American pastor in child abuse case

Published Aug 17, 2025 11:44 pm

At A Glance

  • House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. doesn't want American pastor Jeremy Ferguson to be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)--at least not yet.
Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. doesn't want American pastor Jeremy Ferguson to be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI)--at least not yet.
Ferguson, who is being accused of child abuse in Pampanga, should first undergo a proper and thorough investigation, says Abante.
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.
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