Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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Adrian Ayalin

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MANILA (UPDATED) Prosecutors have approved the filing of trafficking charges against Tony Meloto, the founder of Gawad Kalinga whom two boys who were the NGO&#x27;s beneficiaries have accused of sexual harassment.The Department of Justice&#x27;s National Prosecution Service approved the filing of two counts of violation of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 — as amended by Republic Act No. 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 — in court against Meloto.In complaint-affidavits filed last November, the boys had accused Meloto of  acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment and human trafficking. “As regards the complaint for sexual harassment and acts of lasciviousness, the same are already absorbed as sexual exploitation, which should not be treated separately from sex trafficking,&quot; the DOJ panel said in its joint resolution.The boys had accused Meloto of grabbing the crotches of “Spartans” who were Gawad Kalinga scholars housed in their so-called “Spartan House.”At one point, Meloto allegedly introduced “cooling gels” to the boys and applied them to their genital area.There was also one incident when Meloto allegedly masturbated one of the complainants.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/10/gawad-kalinga-founder-faces-acts-of-lasciviousness-sexual-harassment-trafficking-complaints-0750">Gawad Kalinga founder faces acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, trafficking complaints </a></div>The complainants said they were among the beneficiaries of GK’s youth programs, such as the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development or SEED in Angat, Bulacan in 2015 and 2016.<div> </div><div>MELOTO DENIES ALLEGATIONS</div>Meloto has denied the allegations and said they are part of harassment against him, saying one of the complainants willing traveled abroad with him and that a victim would not “be able to straightforwardly attend social engagements, much less international social events, functions, and to deliver laudable testimonials and speeches.”  The DOJ resolution noted that Meloto denied the allegations but admitted establishing the scholarship program for the boys.“Respondent denies having abused his authority, influence, or moral ascendancy, over the complainant and the Spartan students,” the DOJ panel said.The joint resolution was signed by Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas and approved by Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

“As regards the complaint for sexual harassment and acts of lasciviousness, the same are already absorbed as sexual exploitation, which should not be treated separately from sex trafficking," the DOJ panel said in its joint resolution.

“As regards the complaint for sexual harassment and acts of lasciviousness, the same are already absorbed as sexual exploitation, which should not be treated separately from sex trafficking," the DOJ panel said in its joint resolution.

Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto indicted on 2 counts of trafficking

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Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto indicted on 2 counts of trafficking

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 17, 2025 01:25 PM PHT

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Updated September 17, 2025 04:58 PM PHT

Read More:

National Prosecution Service

Gawad Kalinga

Tony Meloto

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