The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is preparing contingency plans in case of a Taiwan invasion, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said this week, emphasizing the need for readiness amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Addressing Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) troops on April 2, Brawner stressed that the military must be prepared for possible fallout, particularly the evacuation of some 250,000 Filipinos in Taiwan.

“If something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved,” he said, urging forces guarding the Luzon Strait to “start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan”.

Brawner emphasized that NOLCOM, the AFP’s northernmost unit, would play a critical role in any evacuation efforts. The command, based in Tarlac, oversees military operations in northern Luzon and the waters between the Philippines and Taiwan.

His remarks come amid rising security concerns as China intensifies military activity around Taiwan.

Brawner’s statements coincided with large-scale Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, involving the People’s Liberation Army’s army, navy, air, and rocket forces. The drills, which Beijing described as tests of “precision strikes” on key ports and energy facilities, were met with strong objections from Taiwan.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said that its military had deployed warplanes, ships, and missile systems in response to the exercises. It accused China of using the drills to intimidate the island, calling Beijing the world’s “biggest troublemaker”.

The Chinese government, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has repeatedly asserted its stance on reunification. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

The Chinese foreign ministry also issued a warning directed at the Philippines following Brawner’s remarks, cautioning against making “unfounded comments” on Taiwan.

“Those who play with fire will burn themselves,” the ministry said.

Malacañang to Filipinos in Taiwan: Stay put

Following Brawner’s remarks, Malacañang, the presidential office, urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the military’s preparations were standard security measures.

“It is only right for him to remind the troops and the public that we should always be prepared for all contingencies,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro assured overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan that the government was ready to assist them if necessary. “Stay put. The Philippine government is ready to help them at any time,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva also expressed support for Brawner’s call for readiness, urging key government agencies to remain on high alert.

“We agree with General Brawner, and we defer to his better judgment as head of the Armed Forces that is mandated to protect our people and the State. We are confident that our military is ready to defend our territory under any circumstance,” Villanueva said.

He also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure that measures were in place to protect Filipinos in Taiwan.

“We subscribe to the saying: It is better to prepare than to repair,” he added, citing the availability of the DMW’s AKSYON Fund for emergency repatriation.

No cause for alarm

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin addressed concerns over Brawner’s remarks, clarifying that the statement was not meant to signal an imminent conflict but rather to ensure preparedness.

“This is just part of the preparedness that we, as a country, should be put into,” Bersamin said.

He emphasized that while the government continues to monitor the situation, no immediate threat has been identified.

“We’re not saying when that invasion will take place, or whether it will take place at all. What is important for us is that we will not be caught off guard,” he said.

Bersamin also noted that the primary focus of any contingency plan would be the safety and possible evacuation of Filipinos in Taiwan should tensions escalate.

Readiness, not heightened alert

On April 2, the AFP clarified that Brawner’s directive was not a response to an immediate threat. Instead, it was part of the military’s ongoing efforts to maintain readiness.

“The guidance was not a response to an imminent threat nor a declaration of heightened alert, but rather a prudent measure to ensure readiness for potential scenarios,” the AFP said in a statement.

“The orders, focused on preparedness, are rooted in the AFP’s fundamental mandate: To protect Filipinos and secure our territory,” the Philippine military added. 

The AFP reaffirmed that its primary role in a Taiwan crisis scenario would be ensuring the safe evacuation of Filipinos.

While the Philippines does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, it maintains diplomatic and economic relations through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

The situation in Taiwan remains a key regional security concern. Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949 after Chinese nationalist forces retreated to the island following their defeat by Mao Zedong’s communist army.

Beijing has consistently reiterated its stance that Taiwan is part of China and has increased military activities around the island in recent years. Taiwan, meanwhile, maintains that its future should be determined by its own people.

The Taiwan issue comes at a time when the Philippines is also dealing with territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016, rejecting China’s claims over the contested waters. However, Beijing has continued its presence in the region.

The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, has increased military cooperation with Manila under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. The agreement allows U.S. troops access to select Philippine military bases, including those strategically located near Taiwan.

The AFP has confirmed that it continues to monitor developments in the region while ensuring the security of Philippine territory.

Photo credit: Armed Forces of the Philippines. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. addresses military and civilian personnel of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) during its 38th Founding Anniversary on April 1, 2025.