TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said Thursday that Manila is open to discussions with Beijing on evacuation plans for its citizens in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

At a Senate hearing, Lazaro was asked if the Philippines might seek Beijing's help in evacuating nearly 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan should a war break out, per Reuters. “We can do that,” she responded, noting, “It’s about time to also come up with these discussions.”

Even so, Lazaro and other officials told senators that contingency plans have already been established to support and evacuate Filipinos if a war were to occur. She said such measures have been under discussion with security agencies since early this year.

Her comments came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned the Philippines would inexorably be drawn “kicking and screaming” into a war between China and Taiwan, due to its proximity and presence of Filipino workers, per AP.  

Lazaro reiterated that the Philippines upholds a “one China” policy and “will leave it to the Chinese people to resolve cross-strait issues.” She added that Manila does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

Cheloy Garafil, head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, told Reuters that Taiwan has pledged support in protecting overseas Filipino workers. “We have already received a commitment from Taiwanese officials that they will assist us if any trouble arises,” said Garafil.