MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted Antonio “Tony” Meloto, founder of the humanitarian group Gawad Kalinga (GK), on two counts of sex trafficking after former beneficiaries accused him of sexual abuse.
In a resolution released Wednesday, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon approved the filing of charges, saying Meloto, 75, “held a position of authority over the complainants” and “abused them sexually to satisfy his lustful desire.”
The case stemmed from complaints filed nearly a year ago by two men, identified only as Paul and Matthew, who said Meloto exploited them while they were scholars under the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED), a program based at the GK Farm in Bulacan.
Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas, who handled the case, said Meloto “received, maintained, and harbored” the complainants by taking them under his care, providing shelter and basic needs, and then exploiting them.
She added that the complainants, who came from poor families, refrained from reporting the abuse immediately out of fear of being expelled from GK programs.
“Respondent wielded significant control over the scholars of SEED, many of whom were economically deprived, lacked family support, or had limited access to private education,” the resolution stated. “There was psychological coercion exerted by the respondent to control the complaining victims.”
Meloto has denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless. Gawad Kalinga, which gained international recognition for its housing and anti-poverty programs, said it conducted an internal investigation, and said that the accused resigned as chairman in 2017.
