Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner told troops of Northern Luzon Command to prepare for a Taiwan invasion contingency, citing the repatriation of citizens and the “inevitability” of Manila’s involvement in a cross-strait conflict.

“Because, if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved,” Brawner said in a Tuesday speech at the country’s northernmost unified command’s 38th anniversary.

The Philippine military chief urged the forces responsible for defending Manila’s territories in the Luzon Strait to “start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.”

“But let me give you this further challenge. Do not be content with just securing the Northern Hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan,” Brawner said.

He further identified Northern Luzon Command as the leader in any contingency operation related to Taiwan, particularly in the “rescue” of the tens of thousands of overseas Filipino workers from the island in the event of a conflict. Northern Luzon and the West Philippine Sea – a section of the South China Sea containing the Philippine exclusive economic zone – were identified by Brawner as an area where Manila perceives “the possibility of an attack.”

“Because, if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved. There are 250,000 OFWs working in Taiwan, and we will have to rescue them,” Brawner said.