China warned the Philippines not to "play with fire" related to the Taiwan conflict noting that "those who play with fire will perish by it".

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made his remarks in a press conference in Beijing after the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. ordered its troops to extend its "sphere of operations" over the northernmost Island of the country and to prepare for possible invasion of Taiwan as the Philippine would inevitably be involved to it.

"The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair and is at the core of China’s core interest. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that no one can interfere," Guo said.

"We urge certain people in the Philippines to refrain from making provocations and playing with fire on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it. We also oppose relevant personnel calling white black and making groundless accusations," he added.

During its 38th founding anniversary of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) at Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City, Brawner challenged the troops to extend its "sphere of operations" further north noting the need for military to be ready to evacuate thousands of Filipino workers that might be affected in case of Taiwan invasion.

"Do not be content with securing just the Northern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan, okay. So let's extend our sphere of operations because if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved," he said.

"There are 250,000 OFWs working in Taiwan and we will have to rescue them. And it will be the task of Northern Luzon Command to be at the front line of that operation," he added.

In an interview on Thursday, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla explained that the recent order of Brawner for troops to prepare for possible invasion of Taiwan "is not directed to any particular nation."

"Our effort to increase our defense posture is for us to modernize, to equip ourselves in any eventuality. So it is not just for defense but also for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR)," she said.

"The remarks of our Chief of Staff, it goes out to any unit that, it goes to all of us, we should be very well prepared for any eventualities by having the right contingency plans that are going to be in place", Padilla added. Robina Asido/DMS