THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) announced that it is now 98 percent prepared for the upcoming National and Local Elections (NLE) scheduled for May 12, 2025. The update was confirmed by DCPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Caballero Tuazon during a live radio interview over dxDC on Monday morning, May 5.
According to Tuazon, DCPO city director Police Colonel Hansel Marantan reported that nearly all preparations are in place. The remaining two percent is intentionally left open to address last-minute issues or unforeseen developments.
This buffer allows them to remain flexible in managing logistical or security concerns that may arise before election day.
As part of the city’s election readiness, the delivery of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) has been ongoing since May 1. Trucks transporting the machines are currently moving across Davao City’s three legislative districts.
As of May 5, a total of 1,173 ACMs are being distributed: 418 units to the 1st District, 385 to the 2nd District, and 370 to the 3rd District. These machines are essential to ensuring accurate and efficient ballot counting during the elections.
To safeguard the delivery and storage of the ACMs, Colonel Marantan has ordered a 24/7 police presence at all schools and polling centers receiving the equipment. In total, 2,007 DCPO personnel have been deployed across the city to help maintain peace and order and support overall security operations throughout the election period.
The Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) of the ACMs is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. This standard pre-election procedure ensures that each machine is functioning correctly and has not been tampered with before being used in the official vote count.
The DCPO is urging the public to remain vigilant, adhere to official guidelines, and cooperate with law enforcement to help ensure a safe, orderly, and credible election. With just days remaining before voters head to the polls, the DCPO remains on high alert and is continuously coordinating with partner agencies to fine-tune security and operational plans. DEF
