Gawad Kalinga founder still in hospital, pleaded not guilty in cases

Antonio “Tony” Meloto

CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN, Philippines — Arrested Gawad Kalinga founder Antonio Meloto remained in a hospital while he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Tuesday on two counts of qualified trafficking before a Bulacan court.

Meloto made the plea via a virtual hearing as he remained inside a hospital, Maj. Joel Alba, Angat town police chief said.

Meloto had transferred to a public hospital in this capital city on June 5 after he was rushed to a private hospital in Bocaue town on June 2 while detained inside Angat municipal jail after his arrest on Gawad Kalinga’s Enchanted Farm in Barangay Encanto in Angat town on May 29.

READ: Detained Gawad Kalinga founder hospitalized in Bulacan

Bulacan regional trial court (RTC) Branch 76 Judge Adonis A. Laurel issued the warrant of arrest on Sept. 25, 2025 under Criminal Case Nos. 5382-M-2025 and 5383-M-2025.

The two counts of qualified trafficking in persons were filed on Sept. 10 of the same year by his two male Gawad Kalinga scholars before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

There is no bail recommended.

READ: Gawad Kalinga founder arrested for qualified trafficking – PNP

Elements of Bulacan Provincial Police First Mobile Force Company under Col. Norheda Usman now provides the 24-hour hospital security.

Meloto’s camp still awaits the court’s decision on their motion to undergo hospital arrest.⁹

The 76-year-old internationally known social entrepreneur and a multi-awarded head of non-government organization and sociocivic group Gawad Kalinga also suffers hypertension apart from his psoriasis. He left Gawad Kalinga in 2017 for medical treatment in foreign country, his camp earlier disclosed to the Inquirer. /cb