THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has reiterated that neither they nor the Philippine National Police (PNP) had prior knowledge of the controversial storage of election-related materials for the upcoming May 12, 2025 polls in a private residence at Purok Sto. Niño, Dumanlas, Buhangin.
In an ambush interview on Tuesday morning, April 7, DCPO acting director Police Colonel Hansel Marantan clarified to members of the local journalists that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office did not coordinate with the DCPO or the PNP regarding the placement of election paraphernalia inside a private residence. The materials, which were said to be solar panels and Wi-Fi transmission equipment, were discovered by a resident on April 4.
“We have already made reports on that. The DCPO, especially myself as the city director, is now under Comelec control. Therefore, it is the responsibility of Comelec personnel to answer those questions,” Marantan explained during the flag-raising ceremony at the DCPO headquarters.
Marantan added that no documentation was provided to suggest the site had been designated as a storage hub for election materials. Had they been informed, police personnel would have been deployed to monitor the items.
When questioned about the regional electoral agency’s involvement, Marantan simply stated that Comelec had requested the DCPO to safeguard the materials for security reasons.
“This is a government facility, so why not? It is more appropriate to place all that paraphernalia here at the DCPO; it’s neutral ground,” he added.
Local media denied access to materials for verification purposes
On the same day, Davao media witnessed the unloading of the 37 boxes from two trucks containing alleged Starlink Satellite Transmission Devices, batteries, and solar panels.
However, despite several requests and attempts by the local media members, authorities from the Comelec denied them access to the materials for supposed verification due to the protocols set by the election body.
These items were provided by iOne Resources Joint Venture (iOne JV) in partnership with Ardent Networks Inc. (One JV).
The materials had been initially transported to Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on the morning of April 6, after being discovered inside a private residence, and were later returned to Davao City for distribution to various provincial offices of Comelec-Davao, particularly in municipalities in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.
Not contraband
Marantan also explained that due to the region's geographic location, the DCPO did not initially suspect the materials to be contraband. He noted that some precincts in the area lack adequate signals for processing votes, particularly in mountainous regions.
“So, I was asking, if it is contraband, then the police would step in and confiscate all [that] paraphernalia. But based on their comments so far, it is not. I believe it pertains to connectivity during the election period. May I mention the brand Starlink? Because in some parts of Davao City, the signal is not ideal, so they imported that kind of paraphernalia,” Marantan said.
No irregularity
In a statement released earlier this week, Comelec clarified that there was no irregularity in the temporary storage of the transmission devices and solar panels in the residential building, despite some reports from residents suggesting otherwise.
The poll body also assured the public that the devices did not contain any software or programs that could be used in the automated counting machines, consolidation and canvassing systems, or the election management system.
Comelec further pledged to remain transparent and honest throughout the election process. DEF