Philippines Defense Chief Dismisses China Scholars' Batanes Claim as 'Baseless'

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. on Thursday rejected as "baseless" and "ludicrous" assertions by Chinese scholars that the country's northernmost island-chain province of Batanes belongs to Beijing. The claims could introduce a new flashpoint amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea. According to a report by Chinese state-run news site GDToday, scholars from institutions including Nanjing University argued at a symposium that Batanes was a natural extension of Taiwan and therefore belonged to China. Beijing has not formally endorsed that position. The assertions may add 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," Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. told reporters. "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." "What is this for, right? And we know this is baseless. This is nonsense. It is ludicrous," he said. "So this is concerning, and it is something that must be challenged," he added, but did not elaborate. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Batanes, home to about 20,000 people, is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Taiwan along the strategically important Luzon Strait, a key passage linking the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It has become increasingly important in security planning and has hosted joint military exercises involving Philippine and allied US forces. Beijing previously sanctioned Mr. Teodoro and his close relatives over what it said were "erroneous remarks" made about China. The scholars’ comments came weeks after the Philippines and Japan announced in May they would begin formal talks on delimiting the maritime boundary of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in accordance with international law, a move China criticized. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $3 trillion in trade passes annually, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that voided those claims. Meanwhile, Mr. Teodoro said the Philippines could not sustain a credible deterrent in the West Philippine Sea without broad public support, warning 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?" Mr. Teodoro said at the second day of the National West Philippine Sea Summit, streamed via Facebook Live. He said building military capabilities requires sustained political support because defense spending competes with other government priorities in a democratic system. Mr. Teodoro said countries face narrowing windows to modernize their armed forces as technological advances, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, climate change and disinformation accelerate. He added that lengthy procurement processes often leave military equipment outdated before it is delivered. Mr. Teodoro said awareness of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the Kalayaan Island Group and the country’s extended continental shelf should become part of every Filipino’s consciousness, describing their protection as an obligation to future generations. "The West Philippine Sea and its resources are ours and those for the future generations" he said. "International law and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) guarantees this. We are absent, beyond, or devoid of any need to enter into any special relationship because it is an entitlement." He also urged political leaders to treat the country’s maritime rights as a national issue that transcends partisan politics. Mr. 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," he said. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment. — Pexcel John Bacon with Reuters