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'Welcome to the Philippines': Comelec unfazed by China challenge in Pag-asa

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it remained unfazed after Chinese authorities challenged the poll body's historic visit to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan to kick off the nationwide voter's registration for the 2025 midterm elections. 

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David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it remained unfazed after Chinese authorities challenged the poll body&#x27;s historic visit to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan to kick off the nationwide voter&#x27;s registration for the 2025 midterm elections.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/12/comelec-conducts-voter-registration-on-pag-asa-island-1808" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Comelec conducts voter registration on Pag-asa Island</a></div>Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed their Philippine Air Force pilot received a message saying &quot;Welcome to China&quot; while enroute to the island.He said the trip via military plane from Puerto Princesa to Pag-asa Island took about 2 hours.&quot;&#x27;Yan ang sabi ng piloto so sabi din ng piloto, &#x27;Welcome to the Philippines&#x27; din. Tayo naman palakasan lang ng salita ang gusto nila, malakas din magsalita &#x27;yung mga Pilipino,&quot; the Comelec chief said.He noted Philippine election officials have nothing to fear since all voters on the island are Filipino.&quot;Hindi naman tayo natakot dahil normal &#x27;yun sa ganyan. Feeling nila kanila &#x27;yung lupa e pagdating dun, walang kaduda-duda, Pinoy lahat ang nadatnan ng inyong Commission on Elections,&quot; he said.Pag-asa Island is the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) serving as the seat of the local government of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Province of Palawan.It is estimated that more than 400 civilian locals – including some 70 children – call the island home together with stationed military, law enforcement, and civilian government personnel.China has claimed ownership of the island as part of its sweeping 9-dash line over most of the South China Sea, which was debunked by the 2016 arbitral ruling.In the interview, Garcia said the historic visit is meant to show the Philippines&#x27; ownership of the island and that Manila can visit the area at any time.&quot;Layon ng pagbisita sa Kalayaan Islands, number 1, para ipakita na atin &#x27;yun kaya tayo ay nagpaparehistro ng mga botanteng Pilipino. Number 2, para ipakita sa lahat na kaya nating mapuntahan ang pinakamalayong lugar dito sa ating bansa,&quot; he said.More than 50 voters on the island have registered on Monday.The poll body is targeting some 3 million new registrants in the country plus another 2 million for Filipino voters abroad.

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it remained unfazed after Chinese authorities challenged the poll body's historic visit to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan to kick off the nationwide voter's registration for the 2025 midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it remained unfazed after Chinese authorities challenged the poll body's historic visit to Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan to kick off the nationwide voter's registration for the 2025 midterm elections.