Metro Manila, Philippines – The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has assured Filipinos in Taiwan that there is no cause for alarm following Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner’s recent remarks urging troops to prepare for a possible invasion.
In a statement, MECO Chairman Cheloy Garafil said they appreciate Brawner’s directive for Northern Luzon Command troops to be ready to assist Filipinos in Taiwan should the need arise. “There is no cause for alarm because everyone here in Taiwan is conducting business as usual. Filipinos here in Taiwan are used to reports of China’s presence around the territory,” said Garafil.MECO, along with the Department of Migrant Workers – Migrant Workers Office (DMW-MWO), also reiterated that the government has a contingency plan ready to be activated in case of emergency situations.“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,” the MECO chairperson added.Malacañang echoed MECO’s reassurance, saying on Thursday that the Philippines has no intention of going to war over Taiwan.In an interview with reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the government has long been preparing for any eventuality involving Taiwan, which is home to at least 250,000 overseas Filipino workers. He also downplayed concerns over Brawner’s statement.“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,” Bersamin said.The Malacañang official emphasized that the government’s response would be a whole-of-government approach.“Because the Philippines has been preparing for the eventuality of an invasion. We’re not saying when that invasion will take place, whether it will take place at all. Ang importante sa atin, hindi tayo natutulog sa pansitan [Translation: What’s important for us is that we’re not found lacking],” Bersamin said.Malacañang further clarified that the country is not on a war footing.“Hindi dapat magtaka ang Pilipino because matagal na naming ginagawa ang mga yan. Preparedness for evacuation. Wala namang… We are not going to war. Unless they involve us, of course,” he added. [Translation: Filipinos should not be surprised because we have been doing this for a long time—preparedness for evacuation. There’s nothing… We are not going to war. Unless they involve us, of course.]Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged certain individuals in the Philippines “not to play with fire on the Taiwan question” and insisted that the matter is purely an internal affair.
