The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its commitment to protecting individuals from sexual abuse and human trafficking.
The agency released a statement following the filing of cases against Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“As the agency tasked with safeguarding the well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cannot stay silent in the face of the serious charges against Mr. Apollo Quiboloy. The allegations of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse of minors strike at the very core of what we stand for: protecting those who cannot protect themselves.”, rhe agency stated.
The DSWD emphasized that, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. often says, it is deeply affected by the innocent individuals who suffer.
Likewise, this is what drives the agency to help children, women, and vulnerable individuals.
“He speaks for so many of us when he says that nothing is more painful than seeing a child in need, in pain, or left without hope. It is this same pain that drives our work at the DSWD.”
The agency highlighted the painful reality that some personalities or officials seem to disregard abuse, when they should be the ones defending justice and the oppressed.
“It is particularly painful when public figures, who should be champions of justice and defenders of the vulnerable, seem to downplay these horrific acts or align themselves with those accused of such egregious crimes.” the DSWD emphasized.
According to the agency, in every case that the DSWD faces, there are real children, real mothers, and real families who are suffering.
“We must never forget that behind every case are real children, real mothers, and real families who are suffering.”
Just as the DSWD stands with the victims, it also encourages other officials and citizens to support the legal processes to achieve justice.
“We call on all leaders to stand with us in protecting the rights of every Filipino child and to support the judicial processes that are in place to bring perpetrators to justice.”