Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. speaking before the Northern Luzon Command. 

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. ordered Filipino troops to  in case China invades Taiwan following the former’s military exercise around the latter’s military exercise in Taipei. 

Speaking at the anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), Brawner said the command is expected to lead the operation for the rescue of some 250,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan.

Brawner said he has seen Nolcom’s shift to territorial defense. Since the command is the Philippine troops’ frontliner in the northern hemisphere, the AFP chief gave the task of rescuing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to them. 

“Start planning for actions, in case there is an invasion of Taiwan. So i-entend na natin yung sphere of operations natin because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably, we will be involved,” Brawner said. 

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

On Tuesday, China said it sent army, navy and rocket forces to do drills around Taiwan aimed at practicing blockade by the island. 

China has always insisted that the self-ruled island is part of their territory and is bent on reclaiming it with force if need be.