Japan's plan to deploy missiles on its Island near Taiwan is not just for their own national interest but also a move to "stabilize the region", a Philippine military spokesman said on Tuesday.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, aired his opinion after China criticized the plan of Japan to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, the westernmost Island of Japan which is located just 70 miles east of Taiwan. In a regular press briefing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Japan's "move is extremely dangerous and should raise serious concerns among nearby countries and the international community."

Trinidad emphasized that Japan's "actions are not a threat" to the Philippines.

"Actions by sovereign states to achieve their national interest should not cause a security dilemma to other states especially when these actions are within the bounds of international law," he said.

"The actions of the JMSDF or the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are in pursuit of their own national interest and to stabilize the region," he added.

When asked if the AFP also sees the need to deploy missiles in the northernmost part of the country, Trinidad noted that the AFP "will deploy our forces whenever and wherever they are needed."

"For the AFP, we will continue to develop and to deploy our forces as we see fit in furtherance of our mandate to secure and to protect the integrity of our territory," he said. Robina Asido/DMS