The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto was arrested on Friday night over sex trafficking charges. In a statement late on Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said an operation was conducted in Angat, Bulacan to arrest Meloto, only identified by his first name. According to the PNP, the operation was carried out by the “tracker team of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office Provincial Intelligence Unit, in coordination with personnel from the Bulacan 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and Angat Municipal Police Station.” Meloto was served a warrant of arrest for two counts of qualified trafficking under Republic Act 9208, as amended by Republic Act 10364 and Republic Act 11862. “The suspect was apprehended in Barangay Encanto, Angat, Bulacan. Police said the warrant was issued on the same day by a Regional Trial Court in Malolos City, Bulacan, with no bail recommended,” the PNP said. “Authorities emphasized that the suspect was properly informed of his constitutional rights in a language known to him before and during the arrest. He was later brought to the appropriate police office for documentation and proper disposition,” it added. Gawad Kalinga is a "non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive impact through the Platforms of Solidarity," according to its website posted on Facebook. It describes itself in another website as a "poverty alleviation and nation-building movement."
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