DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/Apr 5) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated it finds “no irregularity” in the temporary storage of Starlink satellite transmission devices and solar panels in a private residence in Davao City. Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco confirmed in an official statement that the equipment, reported by a concerned citizen on Friday, are part of the poll body’s preparations for the May 2025 midterm elections. Comelec clarified that the Starlink devices and solar panels are intended solely to transmit election returns and certificates of canvass, not to read or count ballots, and contain no election software. The equipment, deployed by Comelec’s official service provider iOne Resources Joint Venture with Ardent Networks Inc., was stored in a residential compound in Barangay Buhangin, identified as a temporary staging hub due to logistical constraints and deployment deadlines. Comelec holds the list of all authorized staging hubs and confirmed the storage complies with regulations. The agency directed iOne JV to relocate the equipment to designated election offices under Comelec and PNP supervision for full inventory and documentation. Earlier, Davao City Police Office spokesperson Hazel Caballero-Tuazon noted the items included WiFi transmitters and solar panels from Comelec Manila. Barangay Buhangin kagawad Larry Tatad reported residents were suspicious of an L300 van allegedly attempting to retrieve the materials. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)
