DAVAO CITY (May 7) – The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has implemented heightened security measures across voting centers in the city’s three districts for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
According to the DCPO, 2,007 police personnel have been deployed throughout Davao City, with 534 of them assigned specifically to guard voting centers located in schools.
DCPO spokesperson PCapt. Hazel Caballero Tuazon said that as of May 5, over 500 police officers have already been stationed at polling centers to secure the vote-counting machines, known as Automated Counting Machines (ACMs).
“The 534 PNP personnel assigned to polling centers were already deployed as early as 2 a.m. yesterday. They are guarding the ACMs 24/7 and will remain on-site until the election concludes and all election materials are accounted for. They will even sleep at the polling centers,” said PCapt. Tuazon.
Police officers have been ordered not to leave their posts and to guard the ACMs following the final testing and sealing conducted Tuesday morning. Officers are also prohibited from going home.
“They are not allowed to leave or return home to ensure that no one can tamper with the ACMs in the absence of Comelec officials. That is the directive of our City Director, Police Colonel Hansel Marantan,” Tuazon added.
A total of 266 voting centers in Davao City have been equipped with ACMs, which are now under strict police watch. Two officers are assigned per voting center, not including additional police auxiliaries and other security cluster personnel.
The DCPO assures the public that the elections in Davao City will remain orderly and peaceful.
