Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. challenged the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to extend its "sphere of operations" over the northernmost Island of the country as he ordered the troops to prepare for possible invasion of Taiwan.

In his speech during the 38th founding anniversary of the Nolcom at Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City, Brawner told the troops that their "dedication to territorial defense operations has positioned Nolcom as a formidable shield against external threats."

"Nolcom is our front liner here in the northern hemisphere. And as I, as we saw a while ago in their shift to territorial defense, they have gone a long long way already. But let me give you this challenge, this further challenge," he said.

"Do not be content with securing just the Nnorthern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan. okay. So let's extend our sphere of operations because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved," he added.

Brawner stressed the need for them to be ready to evacuate thousands of Filipino workers that might be affected in case a war broke out in Taiwan.

"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 front line of that operation," he said.

In a previous interview, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea assures that the AFP has its own contingency plan in the event of an escalation of conflict in Taiwan strait.

"The AFP is prepared for any action that will be necessary to protect the welfare of the Filipinos all over the world, even in Taiwan"," he said. Robina Asido/DMS