Quickest balloting in Pag-Asa

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Polling in a disputed area in the Kalayaan group of islands went on without any problem, with casting of votes among its registered 288 voters almost completed by noontime in what the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said was the quickest balloting in the country.

“The polls in the island started at 7 a.m. and Pag-Asa is expected to finish earlier than the rest of the province,” provincial election supervisor Orland Ba-alan said.

By midday, the Western Command, which provided security and logistical support to the polls held on Pag-Asa Island, said 210 out of 280 registered voters had already cast their votes.

The canvassing, however, will be done at the same time as the other municipalities of the province, according to the Comelec.

Naval Forces West Cmdr. Rostum Peña said two aircraft had been deployed to serve as main transport for the exercise. A Navy ship is on standby, he said.

Peña brushed aside reports of sightings of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Kalayaan municipality as having an effect on the electoral exercise. Redempto D. Anda, Inquirer Southern Luzon