THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) deferred to the Commission on Elections XI to answer questions on the controversial storage of election paraphernalia at a private residence in Dumanlas, Buhangin.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the flag-raising ceremony at DCPO headquarters along San Pedro Street on Monday, April 7, Colonel Hansel Marantan, the DCPO director, addressed inquiries about the boxes containing solar panels and Wi-Fi transmission equipment from Comelec Manila, which were discovered at a Santol Street residence in Purok Santo Niño, Dumanlas, Buhangin, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
“We have already made reports on that,” Marantan said. “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.”
When asked if the contents of the election boxes were contraband, he replied, “I am not sure if it is contraband. We will wait for instructions from Comelec to apply for a search warrant, but that is not what happened.”
Marantan clarified the DCPO’s involvement, stating, “We were requested to provide security for the transfer of some of the paraphernalia to Davao del Norte, and some were brought here. Any issues or glitches regarding that are more appropriately addressed by Comelec, not us, as we are only providing security. However, we have recorded the incident in the blotter.”
Responding to a question about prior knowledge of the cargo’s arrival, he said, “No, we were not aware of that beforehand. The DCPO only became aware when it was reported.”
Regarding a potential investigation inside the house, Col. Marantan stated, “No, there is an ongoing investigation. We will be meeting with Comelec later to discuss why the situation escalated into a controversy.”
He further explained the DCPO’s stance on potential contraband: “So, I was asking if it is contraband, then the police would step in and confiscate all those 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 confirmed that election paraphernalia had arrived at the DCPO last week, stating, “It is with us already.”
Addressing an agreement with Comelec to store election paraphernalia at the DCPO, he said, “They asked if they could place it here for security reasons, and I said yes.”
“This is a government facility, so why not?” he added. “It is more appropriate to place all those paraphernalia here at the DCPO; it’s neutral ground.”
He clarified that the coordination with Comelec occurred only after the election paraphernalia was reported in custody at the Dumanlas residence in Buhangin.
“We had three conferences with Comelec, but we never discussed that specific matter. So, I have to admit that I had no prior idea about it. However, having said that, whatever security they require, we will provide it. We are ready for that,” Marantan concluded.
