Sailing for democracy: Sitangkai cops ride boats to fight vote-buying in 2025 elections

DAVAO CITY (APRIL 8) — In the farthest reaches of the Philippines, where the sea is both a livelihood and a lifeline, police officers in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi are taking a unique route to protect democracy—boarding motorized bancas to raise awareness about vote-buying and vote-selling in the lead-up to the 2025 National and Local Elections and the BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

Led by PEMS Faizal Sajili and supervised by Police Lt. Roy Zantuan, personnel of the Sitangkai Municipal Police Station launched Oplan Bandido, an information drive that sails through scattered island communities to bring the law closer to the people.

The activity focuses on Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, with emphasis on election-related prohibited acts. With no roads to connect the islands, Sitangkai’s police officers use motorized pump boats to reach remote barangays and educate residents about the dangers of vote-buying and vote-selling.

“In Sitangkai, the only way to reach the people is by sea. We go island to island, bringing the law and the message of clean and honest elections,” said one of the officers in a public address.

Located about 17 nautical miles from Sabah, Malaysia, and 37 nautical miles from Bongao, Sitangkai is a first-class island municipality in Tawi-Tawi. It is composed of 13 islands spread across three main island clusters: Tumindao, Sipangkot, and Sitangkai Dikih.

Known as the “Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines”, Sitangkai thrives on its vast marine resources. With only about 5,970 hectares of landmass out of 72,430 hectares of total municipal area, most of its development lies at sea, making information campaigns like Oplan Bandido both logistically challenging and socially vital.

In Sitangkai, communities rely heavily on seaweed farming and fishing, with many households depending on daily boat travel to trade, work, and access government services.

With elections fast approaching, police officers in Sitangkai are not just enforcing the law—they are empowering voters. In island communities where political influence can be deeply personal and economic challenges are stark, education is key to curbing electoral fraud.

“We remind residents that selling their votes compromises not just the present, but the future of their children and their community,” the public address stated.

Despite the logistical hurdles of operating in a maritime municipality, the Sitangkai police remain committed to the mission. Their message sails across turquoise waters, from island to island, proving that distance is no barrier to civic responsibility.

Oplan Bandido  in Sitangkai is a testament to grassroots governance in action—where law enforcement adapts to geography, culture, and community needs.

As the nation moves toward the 2025 elections, the initiative in Sitangkai serves as a symbol of resilience and hope: that even in the most remote corners of the archipelago, democracy can still arrive—by boat, with a message, and with purpose.