THE Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) has intensified its security preparations for the upcoming May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), with 175 personnel deployed across key locations in Davao City.
According to Ensign Patrick John Domingo, administrative officer of Coast Guard Station-Davao (CGS-Davao), during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing on May 7, the station has already deployed coastguards in four polling centers located in coastal areas — Sta. Ana Central Elementary School, Magallanes Elementary School, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, and SIR Elementary School. He also stated that they are still aiming to deploy personnel to more schools near the coast.
The Coast Guard has also established checkpoints in areas such as Sta. Ana, while augmenting personnel in non-based checkpoints in Sirawan and Lasang to provide safety and security assistance during the election day.
In addition to static deployments, CGS-Davao has activated its Maritime Response Team and is conducting roving operations at resorts within the city.
These efforts aim to ensure a safe and peaceful electoral process, especially in areas vulnerable to maritime-related concerns.
“Sa karon sir, wala pa tay mga maritime incident na nahitabo diri sa Coast Guard Station Davao. (As of now, sir, there have been no maritime incidents reported within the jurisdiction of Coast Guard Station Davao),” Domingo said. Jessalou Algodon, UM Intern