Teodoro tells DOH chief to examine Chinese scholars behind Batanes claim

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday mocked Chinese scholars’ claim over Batanes, joking that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa should examine those behind the assertion because it defies international law, the Philippine Constitution, and “normal human thinking.”

Asked whether he agreed with calls for a stronger Philippine response to the claim, Teodoro said the government should respond firmly.

“We have to be really strong in our pushback on that,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Stratbase Institute’s commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral award.

Article continues after this advertisement

Teodoro said the assertion was “not only contrary to international law and the Philippine Constitution, but also to normal human thinking.”

FEATURED STORIES

GLOBALNATION

GLOBALNATION

GLOBALNATION

“Regarding the people who did that, I think we should bring (them) to Secretary Herbosa, to determine what’s wrong with them,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

The defense chief then quipped that whoever made the claim must have taken “medicine made in China,” adding that he hoped it would not be brought into the Philippines.

The remarks came after Chinese scholars claimed that Batanes belongs to China as an extension of Taiwan, drawing criticism from Philippine officials.

The scholars from Jinan University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Nanjing University and other research institutions took part in the June 30 symposium at Jinan University in Guangzhou, according to a report published on July 2 by newsgd.com.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Chinese academics said that the Philippines had no historical or legal basis for administering Batanes as the islands were a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan, giving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) sovereignty over the province.

Neither the report nor public statements from Chinese authorities indicated that Beijing has formally asserted sovereignty over Batanes.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Chinese scholars’ Batanes claim has no basis, ‘a joke’ – Teodoro

Batanes is comprised of 10 islands separated from Taiwan by the narrow Bashi Channel, a passageway between the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Its population of around 19,000 relies mainly on livestock raising, farming and fishing.

Beijing considers Taiwan, a self-governing island since 1949, a breakaway province which China has vowed to retake.

Asked whether the latest claim strengthened the case for holding more military exercises in northern Philippines, including in Batanes, Teodoro said such activities were only one component of the country’s defense posture.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“No, that’s one component only. The basis really is to build our own internal deterrence mechanisms as quickly as possible,” he said. /jpv