Photo courtesy of NOLCOM 

MANILA — China has no right to comment on Philippine military decisions within its territory, the Department of Defense said Sunday after Beijing warned against a plan to increase military presence in Batanes, the country's northernmost province.

The defense department issued the statement after China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the Philippines should "tread carefully and don’t play with fire" by putting troops near Taiwan.

"The Defense Department stresses that Batanes is Philippine territory and China has no business warning the Philippines about what it does within its own territory," it said.

The department said plans to put up more structures in Batanes are part of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to address gaps in the country's defenses. 

Teodoro wants increased military presence in Batanes

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called for the development of more sites in Batanes after inspecting Naval Detachment Basco, Naval Detachment Mavulis, Itbayat Airport, and the Multi-Agency Facility in Mahatao.

Wang, hinting that Beijing sees the buildup in Batanes as related to Taiwan, stressed "the Taiwan question is at the heart of China’s core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed."

DND said that China "should refrain from engaging in provocative rhetoric and activities," claiming these affect its credibility.