Instead of finding care, more than 160 children in a private orphanage in Mexico, Pampanga were allegedly chained, beaten, locked in bathrooms, and deprived of food, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In a report by JP Soriano on 24 Oras, authorities arrested a pastor, a US national, who operates the Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWADA) facility after reports of abuse committed against the children under its care surfaced.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said their team confirmed the abuse after social workers conducted a focus group discussion with the children.

“Sinasaktan daw sila ng kanilang mga house parent, at nung pastor ng lugar… nagpapunta kami ng social workers who conducted a focus group discussion with the children, and doon talaga na-validate, na-verify na sinasaktan yung mga bata,” Gatchalian said.

Some children recounted their experiences.

“Kinakadena po sa mga kamay…” a child said.

“Parang kadena po ng aso, ganoon,” another child said.

“Noong tumakas po ako… ‘Yung sa paa po, tatlo po kami… kaso ‘yung kadena po na ‘yung makapal po,” a third child added.

Gatchalian said the alleged abuse ranged from being chained with thick metal, forced to kneel on gravel or on salt with stones, beaten with an arnis stick or PVC pipe, locked in bathrooms, and denied food.

The DSWD Central Luzon field office has moved the children to a facility in Lubao, Pampanga, where they are undergoing counseling and assessment. Social workers are also reviewing their profiles to determine the most suitable centers for their continued care.

The pastor denied the allegations.

“Wala namang katotohanan sa allegations, Sir, ‘yun lang po. If gusto niyo po ng buong comment willing [ako] sabihin sayo ang mahabang comment,” he said.

Mexico Police Chief P/LtCol. Pearl Joy Gollayan said they have informed the Bureau of Immigration for a record check on the foreign national.

"Upon our arrest we have to make a report sa Bureau of Immigration para po sa record check ng foreign national," she said.

The facility also serves as a place of worship for a religious group.