Deportation looms for American pastor accused of child abuse

Philippine News Agency

In a news release over the weekend, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest is part of the agency’s “Shield Kids” campaign that protect children from abuse by foreign nationals. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is preparing deportation proceedings against an American pastor accused of physically abusing at least 160 children in Mexico, Pampanga.

Jeremy K. Ferguson, 48, reportedly headed a religious group where he also abused minors.

Ferguson was arrested on Aug. 13 by the Central Luzon police and agents of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

In a news release over the weekend, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arrest is part of the agency’s “Shield Kids” campaign that protect children from abuse by foreign nationals.

“This kind of depravity has no place in our country,” Viado said in a statement.

“We will make sure this individual is expelled from the Philippines after facing his cases here so he may never prey on our children again.

Foreign nationals who think they can come here and harm our people will face the full force of the law and the wrath of our justice system.”

Authorities and the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that the victims were physically assaulted, deprived of food, chained, or locked in rooms under Ferguson’s watch. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)