EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday said evacuating some 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan is part of preparations in case China invades it.
China has been conducting military drills around Taiwan which is considers a breakaway province.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner on Tuesday instructed the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to prepare for a scenario of China invading Taiwan, noting the military has to conduct rescue missions. The military on Wednesday clarified Brawner’s statement, saying it was “not a response to an imminent threat.”
Bersamin, in an ambush interview in Malacañang, said the Philippines is just being ready for any eventuality.
“This (evacuation) is not new, because we have long been talking about this, because of the great possibility of mainland China crossing the channel between it and Taiwan to recover Taiwan. This is just part of the preparedness that we as a country should be put into,” he said. In mixed Filipino and English.
He said the public should not be alarmed by Brawner’s directive to Nolcom to be ready. He said Philippines does not want to be caught “sleeping on the job.”
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in a briefing in Malacañang, said government is ready.
“We have been meeting to discuss the contingency plans. But having said that, we also would like to assure our OFWs and OFW families of the safety of their loved ones in Taiwan and anywhere in the world because the Philippine government under the Marcos administration is ready to help them,” he said.
Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) head Cheloy Garafil said there is no cause for alarm.
She said MECO and the Department of Migrant Workers-Migrant Workers Office (DMW-MWO) have a contingency plan ready to be activated.
“We are also in close coordination with Taiwan authorities regarding any security concerns. But at the moment, there’s no need to worry because we are generally safe and secure here,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is prepared to postpone overseas voting in Taiwan in the event of an invasion.
“Under the Omnibus Election Code, there can be postponement of elections if there is force majeure, natural calamity, or any event that can adversely affect voting, for 30 days,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
Garcia also said elections may still push through in case the online voting and counting system is allowed to be used, because Filipino voters in Taiwan may still cast their votes without leaving their place of residence or work.
“In case of any hostilities, they can still vote using their laptops or cellphones, unlike before where they still need to go to a designated area to cast their votes,” said Garcia.
There are some 71,000 Filipinos in Taiwan who are set to cast their votes via internet voting. – With Gerard Naval
