Brawner: Possible Taiwan-conflict refugees may flee to PH

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was anticipating the possible arrival of refugees in the Philippines if conflict breaks out in Taiwan.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that refugees from Taiwan may also go to Japan.

“Ang nakikita namin, kapag pumutok yan, some will come here – yung mag-eevacuate hindi lang mga Filipino, pati mga Taiwanese pupunta dito, refugees, or Japan,” Brawner told reporters.

Brawner said the AFP had yet to prepare for such a scenario as the military organization was more focused on the repatriation of overseas Filipinos.

The Philippines and Japan were set to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that would boost both military cooperation between the two countries and regional security.

The RAA included procedures and guidelines when Philippine forces visit Japan for training and joint exercises, and vice versa.

According to Brawner, they had yet to discuss whether Japan, under the RAA, would help the Philippines in the repatriation of overseas Filipinos during a possible conflict in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, United States, and Japan were looking at more combined naval training and exercises, with Manila set to receive support for its defense modernization priorities.

Based on the Joint Vision Statement from leaders of the three countries uploaded on the Ministry of Japan and the White House websites, they pledged to strengthen their cooperation to promote domain awareness, along with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. — DVM, GMA Integrated News