Malacañang has assured the public that it is ready to repatriate the about 250,000 Filipinos in Taiwan should tensions between China and the self-ruled island escalate.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner urged the military personnel to prepare for potential spillover effects if Taiwan faces an invasion.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, April 2, Castro said the public has nothing to worry about Brawner's statement as it was only appropriate for the government forces to be prepared.

"Sa aming pagtanto ay hindi naman po dapat mabahala ang taong bayan patungkol po dito (In our assessment, the public should not be alarmed about this)," she said.

"Tama lamang po na magkaroon po siya ng reminder sa buong troops, pati na din po sa taong bayan (It is only right for him to remind the entire troops, as well as the public). We should always be prepared in all contingencies," she added.

Asked whether the government has discussed possible scenarios involving Filipinos in Taiwan, the Palace Press Officer said details would come from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the AFP.

However, Castro assured the public that the government remains prepared, especially for the possible repatriation of Filipinos from Taiwan should the situation escalate.

"Sa mga ganyang contingencies kung magaganap po, kung magaganap, lagi po tayong handa. Katulad po ng sinabi ni AFP Romeo Brawner, lagi tayo dapat handa sa anumang contingency (For such contingencies, if they happen, we are always ready. As AFP Chief Romeo Brawner said, we should always be prepared for any contingency)," she said.

"Kung mangyayari man po 'yan, hindi po tayo dapat magtulog-tulog sa ating posisyon at sa trabaho. Lagi po tayo handa (If that happens, we should not be complacent in our position and our work. We are always ready)," she added.

Castro then urged Filipinos in Taiwan to remain calm and assured them of the government's support.

"Stay put. Basta po, tandaan po nila, ang gobyerno po ay handang tumulong sa anumang oras para sa kanila (Just remember, the government is ready to help them at any time)," she said.