Police arrest Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto over sex trafficking

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, May 29, arrested Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto over trafficking charges under Republic Act No. 9208.

Police arrested Meloto in Angat, Bulacan, on the same day a warrant was issued by a regional trial court in Malolos City, Bulacan, with no bail recommended.

The PNP only referred to Meloto as “Tony” in their report, but two separate media entities — GMA and ABS-CBN News — reported his arrest and named him.

The networks even published the same photos posted by the PNP.

In September 2025, the Department of Justice approved the filing of two counts of sex trafficking against Meloto following complaints from two of his former beneficiaries who accused him of sexual abuse.

The complaints were filed by Paul and Matthew (not their real names) against Meloto, known in GK as Tatay TM (Daddy TM).

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, in approving Meloto’s indictment, said the GK founder “held a position of authority over the complainants” and “abused them sexually to satisfy his lustful desire.”

According to Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza Torrevillas, Meloto “received, maintained, and harbored” the complainants “by accepting them under care and control, giving them shelter and place of refuge, providing them some basic needs in order to facilitate exploitation.”

A Rappler report in June 2025 detailed Paul and Matthew’s complaints against Meloto. The alleged sexual abuse happened at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan, where they attended the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development.

In response, Meloto called their complaints a “demolition job.”

Meloto founded GK in 2003 as the social arm of the organization Couples for Christ, but after an internal feud, GK parted ways with CFC in 2009. Under Meloto’s watch, GK built 100,000 homes in the Philippines.

For his work, the GK founder even earned Asia’s Nobel, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, in 2006, and the Ozanam Award from the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University in 2003. – Rappler.com