PH Navy keeping tabs on Taiwan situation amid China drills

The Philippine Navy was monitoring the situation in Taiwan after China started military drills there, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said on Friday.

“We do not want to speculate but we are also, on our end, monitoring the situation,” Adaci told reporters in an interview right after the Navy’s anniversary celebration ceremony at its headquarters in Manila.

“Of course, anything that transpires around us should be watched keenly and observed because it may or may not have an effect on us,” he added.

On Thursday, China's military started joint drills around Taiwan that are set to last until Friday. According to China, this was “punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan.”

Recently, new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office and called on Beijing to cease its threats.

In April, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it 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 had said that the AFP had yet to prepare for such a scenario as the military organization was more focused on the repatriation of overseas Filipinos. — DVM, GMA Integrated News