TAIWAN FACTOR: Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro advised assessing the chances of such a scenario. (Photo by Sam YEH / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅燚efense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday said the government is actively planning contingencies in the event of a Taiwan invasion scenario.
At a press conference at the Department of National Defense (DND) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Teodoro said an assessment is needed to determine the likelihood of such a scenario.
鈥淣onetheless, we continue to plan on all contingencies,鈥� he said, adding that the preparations should involve a collaborative effort across multiple government agencies.
Teodoro cited confidentiality when asked about these contingencies.
鈥淲e are preparing contingencies, and I cannot, I am not at liberty to specify what those are,鈥� he said.
The DND secretary stressed that the situation is being monitored daily, expressing hope that the bilateral engagements between the United States and China will contribute to de-escalating tensions in the region.
DND officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. previously said that additional sites under the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement could serve as 鈥渆vacuation points鈥� for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if regional tensions require repatriation.
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It can also be recalled that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian 鈥渁dvised鈥� the Philippines to 鈥渦nequivocally oppose鈥� Taiwan鈥檚 independence 鈥渞ather than stoking the fire鈥� by offering the US access to Philippine military bases near the Taiwan Strait 鈥渋f you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.鈥�
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