AFP chief tells troops: Be ready if Taiwan is invaded
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner tells troops at the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) in Tarlac City to “prepare for any eventuality” such as the invasion of Taiwan during his speech at the command’s anniversary on April 1, 2025. —Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday told troops at the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to “prepare for any eventuality” such as the invasion of Taiwan in the face of growing regional tensions over China’s aggression.
Speaking at Nolcom’s anniversary program at Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City, Brawner said the command is expected to lead the rescue of about 250,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in case of an invasion in the self-ruled island.
READ: China launches military drills around Taiwan
“Do not be content with securing just the northern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan,” he said.
“So we will extend our sphere of operations because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved,” he added.
‘Full battle test’
According to Brawner, Nolcom will be at the “front line of that [rescue] operation.”
On Tuesday, China launched large-scale drills around Taiwan, sending its navy, army, air, and rocket forces, according to an Associated Press report.
Brawner also said this year’s “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between Filipino and American troops will be a “full battle test.”
The annual war games will begin on April 21, with about 16,000 US and Philippine troops joining the drills to be conducted in various sites in the country.
“We are now testing all of the plans, all of the doctrines, all of the procedures that we have developed in the past years, and this year we are going to test them. It’s very important that we prepare for any eventuality,” Brawner said.
During his visit to Manila on March 28, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is deploying advanced assets to the Philippines to reestablish deterrence in the region amid China’s growing aggression.
The Pentagon chief also reassured Manila about Washington’s ongoing $500-million commitment in foreign military financing and other security assistance to support the Philippines’ military modernization.
“And most of the support will be coming to this area, to Nolcom and the Western Command. Of course, because these are the areas where we perceive the possibility of an attack,” Brawner said.
“I do not want to sound alarmist, but we have to prepare,” he added.