ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. has instructed troops under the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) to expand their “sphere of operations” and prepare for potential future events, including an emergency in Taiwan.
NOLCOM is a unified command of the AFP responsible for the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, including Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and the Philippine Rise.
“NOLCOM is our frontliner here in the northern hemisphere. As I, as we saw a while ago in their shift to territorial defense, they have gone a long, long way already,” Brawner said during NOLCOM’s 38th anniversary celebration.
“But let me give you this challenge, this further challenge: Do not be content with securing just the Northern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan,” he added.
Brawner explained that whatever happens in Taiwan, “inevitably, we will be involved.”
“There are 250,000 OFWs working in Taiwan and we will have to rescue them,” he said.
“It will be the task of the NOLCOM to be at the frontline of that operation.”
On Tuesday, April 1, China deployed its army, navy, air, and rocket forces around Taiwan for large-scale drills.
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