Batanes is Philippines, sovereignty not up for debate — DFA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday night said the Philippines’ sovereignty over Batanes is “settled and not up for debate” following claims by supposed Chinese scholars saying the province belongs to China through Taiwan.

“Flights of fancy should not be dignified with a response. Nevertheless, the Philippines’ sovereignty over Batanes is settled and not up for debate,” said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel in a text message to reporters.

READ: Chinese claims on Batanes disinformation – Teodoro

“The Philippines will not entertain revisionist claims over its territory and calls on so-called scholars to focus their energies on genuine, good-faith studies of the region,” she added.

The official noted that a Philippine-approved Consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Laoag itself includes the Philippine province of Batanes.

READ: Teodoro on Chinese scholars’ Batanes claim: It’s a joke

A news report by Guangdong-based media Newsgd cited Chinese scholars from different Chinese universities as “unanimously” concluding that the “Batan Islands constitute a natural geographical extension of Taiwan, with sovereignty belonging to China.”

In a separate statement, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed the claims as “disinformation” and “outlandish narratives.” (PNA)

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