AFP chief urges troops to prepare for potential Taiwan intervention

General Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, urged troops on Tuesday to prepare for potential military intervention in Taiwan amid ongoing Chinese military exercises.

Brawner emphasized that the Northern Luzon Command would plan actions and extend its sphere of operations beyond securing just the northern hemisphere up to Mavulis island if an invasion occurs, particularly focusing on rescuing approximately 250,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan.

The AFP clarified on Wednesday that these directives are not a response to an imminent threat but rather prudent measures for potential scenarios following reports of Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

Taiwan has been conducting aggressive military build-ups in anticipation of any invasion plan, while the United States has pledged robust deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, reflecting growing international concern over China's military activities.

General Brawner stressed that Philippine soldiers must anticipate complex forms of warfare, including cyber and political warfare, as tensions with China continue to rise in the South China Sea.