Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., on Tuesday urged the Filipino troops stationed in the northern part of the country to begin preparations in case Taiwan is invaded by China.

This after China launched military drills around Taiwan.

During the Northern Luzon Command anniversary celebration in the northern Philippines, Brawner urged NolCom to push further.

“Let me give you this challenge: 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.

The call to action signaled the AFP’s recognition of the potential impact an escalation in Taiwan could have on the Philippines, considering the geopolitical implications.

Brawner noted that the military’s strategic environment is constantly evolving, and as such Filipino troops must be prepared to respond quickly to unexpected events.

“Because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved. There are 250,000 OFWs working in Taiwan, and we will have to rescue them. And it will be the task of the Northern Luzon Command to be at the frontline of that operation,” he said.

Brawner also praised the troops for their “exceptional role in territorial defense,” emphasizing NolCom’s crucial position as a “formidable shield against external threats.”

He stressed the importance of readiness in the face of evolving security challenges.

“NolCom is our frontline here in the Northern Hemisphere. And as we saw in their shift to territorial defense, they have come a long way,” Brawner said.

China launches exercises

In response to the increasing military tensions in the Taiwan Strait, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command launched joint exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket forces around Taiwan.

The drills, according to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, were designed as “a stern warning” to separatist forces advocating for Taiwan’s independence.

“This is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Shi stated, as China continues to exert military pressure on Taiwan.

‘Balikatan’ exercises on

In support of enhancing the AFP’s capabilities, Brawner highlighted the ongoing and upcoming military exercises, specifically the Balikatan Exercise, a joint military drill between the Philippines and the United States.

“This is the 40th iteration of the Balikatan exercises, and most of the exercises will be conducted here in the area, the joint operational area of NolCom,” Brawner noted.

The drills will simulate a range of combat situations, from territorial defense to humanitarian assistance, and test the military’s readiness for large-scale operations.

“The Balikatan exercise is now the full battle test. We are testing all of the plans, all of the doctrines, all of the procedures that we have developed in the past years. It’s very important that we prepare for any eventuality,” Brawner said.

He underscored that the Philippines must not only prepare for conventional military conflict but also for non-traditional warfare.

“The next big conflict we will be experiencing will not be against our own people,” he said, referring to the global nature of modern threats, including cyber warfare, information warfare, and political warfare.

These types of warfare have already begun to affect the Philippines, and Brawner warned that Filipino troops should be ready for a wide range of scenarios beyond the traditional battlefield.

The AFP chief also raised concerns about the internal security situation in the Philippines.

“We need to be aware, we soldiers, we need to be aware of this. It’s not just imagination; they are already infiltrating our institutions, our schools, our businesses, our churches, and even our ranks in the military. So we need to stay vigilant,” Brawner warned.