The Department of Justice has found probable cause to charge Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga, with sex trafficking based on complaints from two former students of the organization’s SEED youth training program.
The DOJ described Meloto’s actions as a “structured system of sexual exploitation” that abused his authority as a mentor.
The victims, economically disadvantaged youth, alleged repeated sexual abuse between 2015 and 2017 while serving as Meloto’s personal assistants.
Meloto denied the charges, citing health issues, but prosecutors rejected calls to dismiss the case due to the severity of the offense.
The case will now proceed to court for trial.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 18, 2025
