MANILA, Philippines — The Stratbase Institute urged the Philippine government to firmly reject a new claim questioning the country’s sovereignty over Batanes.
The call came after Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times published an opinion piece on September 3 claiming that Batanes was legally part of Taiwan and had no legal basis for being included within Philippine territory.
Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres Manhit described the claim as an attempt to create uncertainty over Philippine sovereignty.
“We urge the Philippine government to mount a firm, unified, and sustained response—through diplomacy, law, public information, and effective governance—to reject narratives that undermine the country’s territorial integrity,” Manhit said.
He stressed that Batanes is part of the Philippines and that the country’s sovereignty over the province is not up for debate.
The latest claim follows an earlier report involving Chinese scholars who described Batanes as a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan and asserted that sovereignty over the islands belongs to China.
Philippine officials previously rejected those claims. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said they had no basis.
Manhit also called on civil society, media and academic institutions to help counter what he described as false narratives about Batanes.