Palace: No need to worry over AFP alert on Taiwan situation

A Taiwanese Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet prepares to land at an Air Force base in Hsinchu on December 10, 2024. Taiwan dispatched forces on February 26, 2025, in response to “live-fire” drills conducted by China off the self-ruled island, Taipei’s defense ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous. (Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — The public should not worry about the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) call for the preparation of soldiers in the northern frontier of the country in the event of an invasion of Taiwan, the Palace said on Tuesday.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, such a call is appropriate to ensure that Philippine troops are prepared for any uncertainties.

“In our assessment, the public should not be worried about this,” Castro said in Filipino at a Palace briefing.

“It is only right for him to give a reminder to the troops as well as to the public that we should always be prepared for all contingencies,” she added.

READ: AFP chief tells troops: Be ready if Taiwan is invaded

Castro also said the government is ready to repatriate the almost 250,000 Filipinos in Taiwan if the need arises.

“In such contingencies, if they do happen, we must always be prepared. As AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner said, we should always be ready for any contingency. If that happens, we should not be complacent in our positions and duties—we must always remain vigilant and prepared,” she said in Filipino.During the anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) on Tuesday, Brawner urged the troops to “prepare for any eventuality” amid growing regional tensions over China’s aggression.

“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,” Brawner said in his speech.

“So we will extend our sphere of operations because, if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved,” he added.

Also on Tuesday, China launched its army, navy, air, and rocket forces to surround Taipei, aimed at practicing a blockade, according to an Associated Press report.

Taiwan broke away from the Chinese mainland in 1949 following its takeover by Mao Zedong’s communist forces.