ARMED Forces public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad yesterday said the instruction of AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr for the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to prepare for a scenario of China invading Taiwan was “not a response to an imminent threat.”
Trinidad said Brawner’s statement last Tuesday during the Nolcom anniversary was also not “a declaration of heightened alert, but rather a prudent measure to ensure readiness for potential scenarios.”
Brawner told the Nolcom to prepare in case China invades Taiwan where there are some 250,000 Filipino workers the military will have to rescue.
In Beijing, the Chinese foreign ministry officials not to make “unfounded comments” regarding Taiwan, warning “those who play with fire will burn themselves.”
Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s remarks at a regular press conference came in response to Brawner telling soldiers to “start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.”
China considers Taiwan as its province. Yesterday, the Chinese military said it had completed all designated exercises around Taiwan, in a social media post from the Eastern Theater Command.
Trinidad said Brawner’s order was rooted in the military’s “fundamental mandate” which includes the protection of Filipinos.
He noted that Brawner’s instructions dealt on the non-combatant operations.
“Specifically, General Brawner’s pronouncement emphasized non-combatant evacuation operations preparedness, given the significant presence of approximately 250,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, ensuring their safety should the situation escalate,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said the AFP, as a “responsible military,” continues to conduct “strategic planning to address diverse security scenarios.”
“It is essential to reiterate that the AFP’s actions are in direct alignment with our constitutional mandate. The AFP assures the Filipino people that we are dedicated to fulfilling our duty with utmost professionalism and vigilance,” said Brawner.
During the 38th foundation anniversary, Brawner told Nolcom to “start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.”
He said Nolcom should extend its sphere of operations “because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved.”
“There are 250,000 OFWs working in Taiwan and we will have to rescue them. And it will be the task of Northern Luzon Command to be at the frontline of that operation,” added Brawner.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Malacañang, allayed concerns about potential attacks and armed conflict between Taiwan and China.
“The public should not be alarmed. It is only right for him (Brawner) to remind our troops, and also the public, that we should always be prepared,” she said in Filipino.
CHINESE VESSELS
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said it has monitored a Chinese research vessel off Palawan, prompting the deployment of an aircraft to challenge and monitor the ship.
At a forum, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the research vessel Song Hang was some 58 nautical miles east of Aborlan, Palawan as of 8 a.m. yesterday.
American maritime expert Ray Powell first reported the transit of the Chinese vessel in the Philippines’ archipelagic waters on Tuesday. He said the vessel was on the way to Celebes Sea.
“The Philippine Coast guard deployed our aircraft this morning to challenge the presence of this Chinese research vessel. As of this time, we are still doing this MDA (maritime domain awareness) flight as we monitor the presence of this Chinese research vessel,” said Tarriela.
“We are challenging them (Chinese) that they are not authorized to carry out marine scientific research. And that they are advised to leave the area if they are doing so,” added Tarriela.
Tarriela said the Chinese have not responded to the radio challenges of the PCG.
In its Facebook page, the PCG said the vessel was monitored some 37 nautical miles south of Cuyo Island in Palawan on Tuesday afternoon.
“While the vessel is entitled to the right of innocent passage in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the PCG is closely monitoring the vessel’s movement to ensure compliance with all relevant domestic and international maritime regulations and to safeguard the country’s maritime interests,” said PCG said.
It said the PCG aerial assets have been deployed “to conduct surveillance and provide situational awareness.”
Several Chinese research vessels have been monitored in the Philippine waters in the past years. One of these research vessels, Lan Hai 101, was sighted off Palawan in February. The vessel came from the Port of Klang in Malaysia, enroute to Shandong, China. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Reuters
