TAIWAN FACTOR: Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro advised assessing the chances of such a scenario. (Photo by Sam YEH / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday said the government is actively planning contingencies in the event of a Taiwan invasion scenario.
At a press conference at the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Teodoro said an assessment is needed to determine the likelihood of such a scenario.
“Nonetheless, we continue to plan on all contingencies,” he said, adding that the preparations should involve a collaborative effort across multiple government agencies.
Teodoro cited confidentiality when asked about these contingencies.
“We are preparing contingencies, and I cannot, I am not at liberty to specify what those are,” he said.
The DND secretary stressed that the situation is being monitored daily, expressing hope that the bilateral engagements between the United States and China will contribute to de-escalating tensions in the region.
DND officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. previously said that additional sites under the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement could serve as “evacuation points” for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if regional tensions require repatriation.
READ: Galvez: New Edca sites can be OFW ‘evacuation points’ if regional tensions rise
It can also be recalled that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian “advised” the Philippines to “unequivocally oppose” Taiwan’s independence “rather than stoking the fire” by offering the US access to Philippine military bases near the Taiwan Strait “if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.”
READ: Sino envoys Edca warning cites fate of Taiwan OFWs