MANILA: The Philippines has no military engagements with Taiwan and it does not see future engagements with the democratically-governed island, Manila’s armed forces chief Romeo Brawner told foreign correspondents today.
The Philippines sees the risk of conflict over Taiwan as a major concern amid geopolitical rivalry between China and the US.
The military are ready for any eventuality, though they have not monitored reports on any intended attacks on Taiwan in particular, Brawner said.
The Philippine military have put up a naval detachment in the country’s northernmost island of Mavulis, 150km from the southern tip of Taiwan, where 150,000 Filipinos live and work.
The Philippines adheres to the “one China policy”, and also has ties with Taipei, with its Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan serving as a de facto embassy.