Military chief orders troops to prepare for potential Taiwan-China conflict

Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., following US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit, ordered troops to prepare for potential conflict with China over Taiwan.

Brawner stressed the need for vigilance against Chinese influence in Philippine institutions and warned of espionage activities by Chinese nationals.

He highlighted concerns about a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait affecting the Philippines due to geographic proximity and economic ties.

Noting that 250,000 Filipinos work there, Brawner emphasized the potential impact on the Filipino workforce.

The AFP is shifting focus from internal security to external defense, building partnerships and revising modernization plans for comprehensive archipelagic defense.