The Philippines' Defense chief has rejected claims by Chinese scholars that a northernmost island-chain province belongs to Beijing, calling the assertions "baseless" and "ludicrous."
Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. made the comments in response to statements by scholars from institutions including Nanjing University, who argued at a symposium that the Batanes island-chain was a natural extension of Taiwan and therefore belonged to China.
The assertions have added a new dimension to long-running tensions between Manila and Beijing, which are already embroiled in multiple disputes over islands and features in the South China Sea.
"I view this, once again, as probably a signal of a preconceived intention," Teodoro said. "It is not far-fetched to think that this is already part of their plan. And it also validates what we have been saying that they have a plan to control the entire Pacific Ocean."
Teodoro also expressed concern that the claims may be part of a larger plan to control the Pacific Ocean, which is a strategically important waterway through which over $3 trillion in trade passes annually.
Batanes, home to about 20,000 people, is located approximately 160 kilometers south of Taiwan along the Luzon Strait, a key passage linking the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
The island-chain has become increasingly important in security planning and has hosted joint military exercises involving Philippine and allied US forces.
China previously sanctioned Teodoro and his close relatives over what it said were "erroneous remarks" made about China.
Teodoro warned that the Philippines could not sustain a credible deterrent in the West Philippine Sea without broad public support, and that long-term investments in national defense would be difficult to maintain unless Filipinos recognize the importance of protecting the country's maritime entitlements.
"If we do not have awareness, if we do not have ownership, if we do not have resilience and resolve, how can we go to the electorate and tell them, 'Make some sacrifice…' for a sunk national defense expenditure or cost?" Teodoro said.
Teodoro emphasized the need for sustained political support to build military capabilities, as defense spending competes with other government priorities in a democratic system.
He also urged political leaders to treat the country's maritime rights as a national issue that transcends partisan politics.
Teodoro accused China of promoting false historical narratives to support its territorial claims, urging Filipinos to rely on fact-based historical accounts instead.
"We need to deter not only China, but anyone who may in the future want to disrespect or disregard our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Teodoro said.
