American and Filipino marines hold a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) in Ternate, Cavite, on July 14, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said that its directives to the Northern Luzon Command to extend their “sphere of operations" are not in response to a threat but in preparation for "potential scenarios" following reports of Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

During a speech at NOLCOM's 38th Anniversary Program in Tarlac City on Tuesday,  Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told troops to start planning for actions "in case there is an invasion of Taiwan", saying the Philippines will be "inevitably" involved.

The NOLCOM is a unified command of the AFP responsible for securing the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, including Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal and the Philippine Rise.

AFP chief tells NOLCOM to prepare for China's possible invasion of Taiwan

In a release, the military said AFP chief Brawner's  instructions were part of the armed forces' fundamental mandate to "protect Filipinos and secure territory".

It explained that the guidelines were a "prudent measure to ensure readiness" for possible situations.

"The guidance was not a response to an imminent threat nor a declaration of heightened alert, but rather a prudent measure to ensure readiness for potential scenarios," the AFP said.

"Specifically, Gen. Brawner's pronouncement emphasized Non-combatant Evacuation Operations preparedness, given the significant presence of approximately 250,000 Overseas Filipino Workers in Taiwan, ensuring their safety should the situation escalate," it added.

China this week sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces around Taiwan in large-scale drills  and Taiwan deployed its own aircraft and ships in response.

China holds large-scale military drills around Taiwan

China claims self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory.

Brawner, while saying he does not want to sound like an "alarmist", has stressed Filipino troops must think and prepare as if the country is already at war.

AFP said it has continuous strategic planning to address different security issues.

"It is essential to reiterate that the AFP’s actions are in direct alignment with our constitutional mandate. The AFP assures the Filipino people that we are dedicated to fulfilling our duty with utmost professionalism and vigilance," it added

In a separate statement, national democratic activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Bayan, said the AFP directive was "a reminder" that increased US military engagement in the country is "not meant to beef up the security of the Philippines but to support the war posturing of the US."

Manila has a mutual defense pact with Washington. The United States has more than once reaffirmed its "ironclad commitment" to exploring defense strategies and drills with the Philippines amid China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

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