Comelec confirms transmission device storage in Davao

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday confirmed that transmission devices are being temporarily stored at a staging hub in Davao City, following online reports that Starlink satellite equipment had been delivered to a private residence in Barangay Buhangin.

The Comelec issued the clarification after several media outlets reported that Starlink satellite transmission devices and their solar panels were allegedly installed in a house in the said barangay.

According to a report from the Davao City Police Office, the equipment in question is indeed part of the transmission devices from Comelec's Transmission Service Provider — iOne Resources Joint Venture with Ardent Networks, Inc. (iOne JV). These devices came from the Comelec warehouse and are covered under the Commission's Deployment Services.

Comelec said iOne JV confirmed that the location in Barangay Buhangin is one of their staging hubs where equipment is temporarily stored before final delivery to the Offices of the Election Officers (OEOs) in neighboring towns and cities across the province.

However, iOne clarified that the installation is temporary. The Starlink devices will be deployed to Voting and Canvassing Centers in the Davao Region starting 15 April, following the scheduled deployment and installation plan for the upcoming elections.

“The Comelec holds a list of all temporary staging hubs and storage areas of the iOne JV, and the location in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City, is in accordance with it,” the poll body said.

The Field Operations and Transmission Groups of the Comelec Project Management Office also confirmed that the site houses only 10 sets of Starlink devices, solar panels, and batteries.

According to the contract agreement for the "Procurement of Secure Electronic Transmission Services (AES) for the 2025 NLE Election Results Listing Telecommunication Networks including Data Centers and Connectivity Requirements for the AES" between Comelec and iOne JV, the latter is responsible for the deployment and installation of such devices at the designated voting and canvassing centers.

Comelec emphasized that there is no irregularity in the storage of these devices, noting that Starlink devices and solar panels are used solely for transmission purposes and have nothing to do with the machines or software used to read and count ballots.

“This is no Election Program or Software that will affect the use of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) and Consolidation and Canvassing Systems (CCS), as well as the entire Election Management System (EMS),” the Comelec assured.

Nonetheless, for added transparency and security, the Field Operations Group, led by Deputy Executive Director Rafael B. Olaño, has ordered iOne JV to remove the Starlink devices and solar panels from the current staging hub and deliver them directly to their respective OEOs. The transfer will be conducted under the supervision of Comelec personnel and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

An inventory and report will be completed immediately upon delivery.

In the meantime, PNP personnel will continue monitoring the equipment and its current location. Election Officers and Provincial Election Supervisors have also been directed to audit the equipment and make public its deployment status, following Comelec policy.

Additionally, all Election Officers and Provincial Election Supervisors nationwide have been instructed to inspect all iOne hubs, warehouses, and storage areas within their jurisdictions and implement strict audit and security protocols.