Comelec orders removal of poll devices from Davao house

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the removal of satellite devices and solar panels that will be used in the May 12 elections from a house in Davao City that serves as a temporary storage for the devices.

Although the poll body sees no irregularity in storing the Starlink satellites and solar panels in the house in Barangay Buhangin, Comelec field operations group deputy executive director Rafael Olano directed the transmission provider iOne Resources Joint Venture (iOne JV) to transfer the election devices to offices of election officers.

“This will be monitored by Comelec employees and the police. An inventory will be conducted on the devices,” the poll body said in a statement.

The Comelec said it is aware that the house is a temporary staging hub and storage for election paraphernalia.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said no warehouse owners in the province agreed to lease their property on a short-term basis.

Garcia said the police will secure the devices until these are transferred to the offices of election officers.

He ordered election officers and provincial supervisors to conduct an audit of the equipment and inspect all hubs, warehouses and storage areas of iOne JV in their areas of jurisdiction.

The Comelec issued the statement following online reports that some election equipment were found in a house in Barangay Buhangin.

The Comelec said the devices would be used for transmission purposes only and not for counting votes.