Latest news with #Brawner
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
AFP updates crisis plan for OFWs in Middle East
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ramping up its crisis preparedness to ensure the swift evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East, following the death of a Filipina caregiver caught in the recent Iranian missile attack on Israel. AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has activated its contingency protocols and is closely coordinating with other government agencies in case a mass evacuation becomes necessary. 'Meron po tayong mga contingency plan. Ang tawag po natin dito ay non-combatant evacuation operation,' Brawner said. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed the death of Leah Mosquera from Negros Occidental due to the injuries she suffered after an Iranian missile hit her apartment. Brawner emphasized that the AFP is prepared to deploy its air and naval assets, including C-130 planes and military vessels, should the government decide to repatriate Filipinos in harm's way. He also directed AFP units to update existing evacuation plans to reflect the current security landscape, which has become increasingly volatile. 'Matagal na po nating ginagawa ito. Noong nakaraang dekada, noong nagkaroon ng problema po sa Middle East, ay nagpadala tayo ng dalawang barko na sunduin 'yung mga Pilipino na gustong umuwi po sa ating bansa,' the AFP chief said.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP ready to evacuate Pinoys amid Middle East conflict —Brawner
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has a contingency plan for the possible evacuation of Filipinos amid the tension in the Middle East, its chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., said on Tuesday. Brawner made the statement following the death of a Filipina caregiver in Israel due to injuries after an Iranian missile attack. 'Meron po tayong mga contingency plan. Ang tawag po natin dito sa operation na ito is non-combatant evacuation operation,' Brawner said in an ambush interview. (We have contingency plans. What we call this operation is a non-combatant evacuation operation.) 'Nakahanda rin po ang Armed Forces, nakahanda yung ating mga C-130, yung ating mga barko, just in case na kailanganin po na i-evacuate ulit 'yung ating mga kababayan pabalik dito sa ating bansa,' he added. (The Armed Forces, our C-130s, and our ships are also ready just in case it is necessary to evacuate our countrymen back to our country.) In the past decade, Brawner said the Philippines had evacuated Filipinos from the Middle East. 'Matagal na po nating ginagawa ito. Noong nakaraang dekada, noong nagkaroon ng problema po sa Middle East, ay nagpadala tayo ng dalawang barko na sunduin 'yung mga Pilipino na gustong umuwi po sa ating bansa,' he added. (We have been doing this for a long time. Last decade, when there was a problem in the Middle East, we sent two ships to pick up Filipinos who wanted to return to our country.) Aside from this, Brawner said he instructed AFP personnel to revisit and update their plan as well as prepare their platforms, including aircraft and ships. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier expressed its condolences to the relatives of the Filipina caregiver who died in Israel after an Iranian missile attack. "The DMW deeply mourns the passing of OFW caregiver Leah Mosquera, a victim of an Iranian missile attack on the City of Rehovot, Israel last 15 June 2025," the DMW said. "We extend our deepest sympathy to Ms. Mosquera's family. Truly, OFW Leah's dedication and quiet heroism embody the strength and sacrifices of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who carry the hopes and dreams of their families, their communities, and our nation," it added. Mosquera, 49 and a native of Negros Occidental, underwent several surgeries at Shamir Medical Center and "fought for her life" in the intensive care unit for several weeks, according to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv. Iran's offensive against Israel was in response to Tel Aviv's Operation Rising Lion, which is a military action supposed to deter or eradicate Tehran's nuclear program. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP launches offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reaffirmed its dedication to national sovereignty and defense modernization as it launched the offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) in Ulsan, South Korea on Wednesday. In a statement, the AFP said the launching ceremony was attended by AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) chief operating officer and senior executive vice president Joo Won Ho. The event showed the strong partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in enhancing maritime security and self-reliant defense capabilities, according to the AFP. Brawner, in his remarks, pointed out the strategic importance of the launch, especially its role in advancing the Philippines' maritime defense. 'The launch of Offshore Patrol Vessel No. 1, the BRP Rajah Sulayman, is not merely the unveiling of a new ship—it is a bold declaration of our commitment to maritime security and the defense of our sovereignty,' Brawner said. 'This vessel marks a new chapter for the Philippine Navy, reflecting our resolve to enhance our operational capabilities and extend our presence across our vast maritime domain,' he added. According to the AFP, its new asset was named after a fearless native leader, Rajah Sulayman, who stood firm against foreign conquest in pre-colonial times. The AFP said BRP Rajah Sulayman is a modern emblem of the Filipino people's resilience, courage, and unyielding spirit of independence. 'As the nation honors its past, the AFP remains steadfast in shaping a future where freedom is not only celebrated but vigilantly safeguarded,' the AFP said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Teodoro, Brawner slam misleading report by Chinese ‘journalists'
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Saturday slammed a malicious and misleading report from what they are Chinese intelligence agents posing as journalists at a defense conference in Singapore. In a video shared by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on social media, Teodoro said the people claiming to be 'journalists' asked him if the Philippines is a proxy of the United States at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 'Nung ako tinanong, nakipagsagutan ako ng matagal dahil tinanong nila sa akin kung tayo daw ay proxy lang daw ng America sabi ko 'hindi, hindi tayo proxy.' Natural Pilipino tayo, pero sila magnanakaw ng teritoryo e 'di nagsagutan na kami ng nag sagutan. Hindi pa nilalabas yun pero baliktarin na naman nila,' Teodoro said. (When I was asked if the Philippines is a proxy of the US, I answered 'no' because we are Filipinos. I had an argument with them. They're the ones stealing our territory. They have yet to release a story about it and they will again twist the narrative.) Teodoro and Brawner were attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an event the defense secretary noted the absence of official delegates from Beijing. 'Imbis na magpadala sila ng defense minister, nagpapadala sila ng mga bata na nagpapanggap na journalist na ahente ng intelligence nila na nagtatanong ng balagbag tapos binabaliktad ang video,' Teodoro said. (Instead of sending a defense minister, they sent kids pretending to be journalists but are actually intelligence agents who ask malicious questions then manipulate the video.) 'Yung mga yan, hindi iyan mga journalist na iyan kaya tama lang na iniwasan ni (Chief of Staff). Ako akala ko tunay na journalist. Nakipag sagutan ako dahil Pilipino, naagrabyado yung mga Pilipinas, natural sasagutin ko,' he added. (They are not real journalists so our Chief of Staff did the right thing by not answering them. I thought they were real so I argued with them because I'm a Filipino and they were maligning the Philippines, so naturally I responded.) Brawner narrated that he did not answer any queries of supposed journalists as he was proceeding to a bilateral meeting. 'Later on, naglabas sila sa WeChat, binaliktad nila ang story na umiiwas daw tayo sa mga tanong nila about West Philippine Sea at yung ang paratang nila na tayo ang iinfiltrate o tayo ang encroach, pumapasok, dun sa teritoryo nila,' Brawner said. (They released an article on WeChat, saying that the Philippines is avoiding answering questions about the West Philippine Sea and accused us of infiltrating, encroaching, and entering their territory.) Teodoro added he later saw the so-called 'journalists' again and even waved at them with a greeting, 'Kanina nakita ko itong mga bata na ito, kinawayan ko. 'Hello mga agent ng MSS (Ministry of State Security)!', hindi na lumapit. 'Yung mga iyan hindi naman tunay na journalist.' (A while ago I saw them again and waved, 'Hello MSS agents!'. They did not come near. They are not real journalists.) GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP chief Brawner: No coup shall happen, not on my watch
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said there will be no coup d'état under his leadership amid speculations of internal unrest within the military. In a statement, Brawner reaffirmed the 'unwavering commitment' of the organization to the Constitution and the chain of command. 'As long as I serve as Chief of Staff, no coup shall happen. Not on my watch. We will not be shaken by rumor, nor outmaneuvered by noise,' he said. 'Let me reassure our countrymen that the AFP remains strong, professional, and firmly loyal to the chain of command. We are a disciplined institution, grounded in respect for the Constitution, civilian authority, and the rule of law,' he added. Brawner called out those who continue to stir discord and disinformation. He warned them of 'broader consequences' of undermining the AFP. 'To those who persist in creating instability, I offer this not as a rebuke, but as a reminder. Do not sow doubt among the very ranks that safeguard our democracy. Do not attempt to influence or mislead soldiers who serve quietly, honorably, and with steadfast loyalty to our Constitution and our country,' he said. 'Frustration is not a license to target your protectors. Attacking the Armed Forces with baseless narratives only threatens to weaken an institution that exists to defend us all,' he added. Brawner encouraged the public to be discerning and differentiate real concerns from baseless speculations, especially about public institutions and national security. 'Let us not be adversaries in the same nation we all claim to love. Let us be better stewards of our words, platforms, and influence, because patriotism is not measured by how loudly we speak, but by how wisely we choose unity over division, and nation-building over disruption,' he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
