Gorontalo Police search Mayor's office over cultural heritage damage

The Gorontalo Regional Police (Polda Gorontalo) conducted a search of the Gorontalo Mayor's office on Monday, October 19, 2026, as part of an investigation into the alleged destruction of a cultural heritage site, specifically the former Post and Telegraph Office residence.

Investigators from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) seized two boxes of documents from the Legal and General Affairs sections of the Regional Secretariat. Police officials stated the search was conducted under a court order to gather evidence. The presence of armed personnel during the operation was described by Police Public Relations Chief Kombes Pol Marupa Sagala as a standard procedure to ensure safety and follow official SOPs, rather than a show of force.

Gorontalo Mayor Adhan Dambea stated he would not back down from the legal process. He also addressed recent public concerns regarding civil servant (ASN) participation in demonstrations, asserting that such actions are permitted under existing regulations, including Government Regulation 94 of 2001 and Law 20 of 2023. Dambea suggested the scrutiny regarding the heritage site and the recent protests may be attempts to exert political pressure.