The poll of Mindanao regional elections started at 7 a.m. Monday, as Philippine government forces raised their alert to deter any terrorist attack in the region.

Ricardo de Leon, the overall election supervisor, told reporters that some 6,400 policemen have been deployed to assist military soldiers stationed in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

"We are on full alert (in the ARMM) and also in Cotabato City where the canvassing of votes will be held," De Leon said.

Authorities are on alert, monitoring 115 election hotspots and 600 areas of concern, although no election related violence has been reported so far.

Some 1.2 million registered voters in the region are expected to go to 1,983 polling centers and choose a new governor, vice governor and 24 assemblymen.

The Commission on Elections expects 70 to 80 percent of the voting population will go out and vote in Basilan, Tawi-tawi, Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Source: Xinhua