PH not on war-footing over Taiwan – Malacañang

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines has no intention of going to war over Taiwan, Malacañang said on Thursday in light of remarks from Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner that the military should prepare for a possible invasion of the self-governing island.

In an interview with reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the government has long been preparing for any eventualities involving Taiwan, 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 added that the response to a Taiwan invasion 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 said 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]

The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged certain people in the Philippines "not to play with fire on the Taiwan question" and maintained that the matter is entirely a concern of the Chinese people.

"We urged certain Philippine individuals not to play with fire on the Taiwan question - those who play with fire will get burned. China also firmly opposes baseless, distorted, and inflammatory remarks aimed at smearing China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.