By Manny Balbin

NABBED. The tracker team of the Bulacan Police’s intelligence unit, in coordination with personnel of the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and Angat Police, arrest Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga, in Angat, Bulacan on Friday (May 29, 2026). The provincial police said in a report on Saturday (May 30) that the arrest followed focused intelligence-gathering operations. (Photo courtesy of the Bulacan Police)

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan – The tracker team of the Bulacan Police’s intelligence unit on Friday arrested the founder of Gawad Kalinga, who is facing two counts of qualified trafficking, in Angat, Bulacan.

Gawad Kalinga is a non-governmental organization that describes itself as a “poverty alleviation and nation-building movement.”

Based on a police report released on Saturday morning, the wanted person, Tony Meloto, 76, was arrested in an intelligence-driven operation at a farm in Barangay Encanto, Angat, Bulacan, by virtue of warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court in Malolos City, Bulacan, for two counts of qualified trafficking under Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The court recommended no bail for both cases.

In September last year, the Department of Justice, citing an alleged “pattern” of abuse of authority and exploitation, recommended filing two counts of qualified sex trafficking against Meloto.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) Director Brig. Gen. Jess B Mendez lauded the operating units for the successful operation, citing the “effectiveness of intelligence-led police operations.”

He said PRO-3 remains “steadfast in ensuring that persons facing criminal charges are held accountable under the law.” (PNA)