Manila, April 3 -- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday downplayed concerns over recent remarks made by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner, who urged Filipino soldiers to be prepared for a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Bersamin, in a media interview in Malacanang Thursday, explained that the call for preparedness should not cause alarm, as discussions surrounding the possibility of a Taiwan invasion have been ongoing for some time and was just part of the government's efforts to ensure that the country is ready for any eventuality.

"This is just part of the preparedness, that we, as a country, should be put into," he told Palace reporters.

The Executive Secretary noted that while the Phil...