DAVAO CITY (June 18) – When Colonel Hansel Marantan assumed command of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on July 14, 2024, he walked into a city gripped by suspicion.
His appointment came at the height of police operations against controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a figure revered by many in the region. To some, Marantan was an outsider, a symbol of intrusion, even oppression-in what many considered Duterte’s country.
Tensions deepened as the May 2025 midterm elections approached. With political loyalties and law enforcement neutrality under scrutiny, doubts shadowed Marantan’s capacity to lead.
Eleven months into his post, however, the narrative has dramatically shifted.
What Colonel Marantan delivered was not a conventional command but a calibrated overhaul of police operations, marked by discipline, intelligence-driven strategies, and deep grassroots engagement.
Today, he stands as a quiet yet commanding figure who has redefined law enforcement in one of the country’s most politically charged cities.
Turning Point:
The Hannah Pawnshop Incident in February 26, a brazen midday robbery at Hannah Pawnshop shook the heart of Davao City. But what followed would become a case study in rapid, intelligent policing.
Within minutes of the report, Colonel Marantan personally coordinated a tactical response. Deploying units from the City Mobile Force Company and Station 2, the police used real-time CCTV feeds and field intelligence to track the suspects.
Before the nightfall, the operation concluded. The suspects were intercepted, firearms seized, and some jewelries and cash recovered—all without civilian casualties.
“This was not just about catching thieves,” Marantan said. “It was about sending a message—Davao is not a playground for crime.”
Intelligence at the Core
Beyond headline operations, the actual engine of Marantan’s success lies in his discreet deployment of intelligence pockets—localized surveillance cells composed of plainclothes operatives and civilian informants embedded in vulnerable communities.
This quiet network enabled surgical strikes against narcotics, illegal gambling, and even illicit mining. Within his first few months, Marantan oversaw the dismantling of unlawful quarrying in Paquibato and Marilog, with equipment seized and operators charged.
“We don’t wait for problems to knock,” he said. “We plant ourselves where they begin.”
Smart Policing, Real Results
Colonel Marantan shifted the DCPO’s strategy from reactive policing to proactive disruption of criminal ecosystems. His team neutralized:
- Drug couriers in Talomo and Toril,
- Mobile-based illegal gambling syndicates,
- Cybersex operations involving minors in Agdao and Buhangin.
- Silent surveillance and inter-agency coordination also averted multiple gang retaliations, intervening before violence erupted.
- The Human Element: Grassroots Policing
- Where intelligence is his sword, community engagement is his shield.
Marantan expanded “Pulis Nyo, Kauban Nyo”—an initiative where officers blend into barangay life. His police force now listens in plain clothes at community forums, holds sectoral dialogues with tricycle drivers and vendors, and partners with women’s groups to identify unreported abuse.
“You don’t police from above,” he said. “You secure a city by walking its alleys and listening in its darkest corners.”
Internal Cleansing: Reform Starts Within
Marantan launched an uncompromising internal cleansing campaign—random drug testing, intelligence audits, and lifestyle checks.
This led to the dismissal of multiple personnel, including 37 individuals from the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) who tested positive for drug use.
“No one is above scrutiny,” Marantan emphasized. “The badge is not a shield from justice—it’s a vow to uphold it.”
Securing the 2025 Elections: Neutrality in Action
Amid political friction, Colonel Marantan’s leadership ensured a smooth and secure May 13, 2025 midterm election. Not a single major incident of poll-related violence was recorded in Davao City.
His success stemmed from early threat assessments, reinforced checkpoints, and close coordination with the COMELEC and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
A Culture of Excellence
- The results under Marantan speak volumes:
- A significant drop in street crimes,
- A 20% rise in community-initiated crime tips,
- Expanded citizen participation in peacekeeping,
- Heightened seizure of illegal firearms and contraband.
