Senators Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros on Sunday rejected claims by Chinese scholars that Batanes is a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan and therefore part of Chinese territory, calling the assertion baseless and insulting to Filipinos.
“Before, they claimed that the West Philippine Sea is theirs. Now, Batanes is also their territory? What’s next? Palawan, Zambales, Cagayan?” Tulfo said.
The claim was raised during a symposium on June 30, shortly before the Philippines marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Tulfo questioned the timing of the assertion.
“It is ironic that we encounter this claim in time when we just celebrated a decade of the Philippines’ victory at the 2016 Arbitral Ruling declaring that the West Philippine Sea is ours,” he said.
He renewed his call for the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. 1625, or the proposed West Philippine Sea Education Act, which seeks to counter disinformation about Philippine territory and maritime rights.
“We have to act fast in ensuring that Filipinos are not easily swayed by these kinds of claims. As early as basic education, Filipinos must be equipped with knowledge about Philippine sovereignty,” Tulfo said.
The measure would integrate age-appropriate lessons on the West Philippine Sea into basic education materials, using internationally recognized facts, Supreme Court decisions and Philippine laws.
It would also require the Department of Education to provide teachers and other educators with appropriate training on issues related to the West Philippine Sea.
Tulfo said educating Filipinos about the country’s territory was not only a matter of patriotism but also a practical way to inform them of their rights over Philippine waters and resources.
“Baseless claims that certain parts of the Philippines belong to other countries should not be given credence and must be repelled on all fronts. We will continue to stand firm, defend our territories, and protect what rightfully belongs to the Filipino people,” he said.
Hontiveros, meanwhile, called the claim over Batanes “a grave insult to every Ivatan, to every Filipino,” saying it showed how deeply Chinese propaganda had taken root.
“China’s disinformation campaigns are exactly why the Arbitral Award matters, not only as a landmark ruling etched in the annals of history, but as a shield against those who systematically spread lies,” she said.
Hontiveros urged Filipinos to uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling and reject China’s territorial claims.
“Ten years ago today, the Philippines showed the world what it means to stand up to a giant and win. The 2016 Hague Ruling stands, affirming that China’s nine-dash line has absolutely no basis in international law,” she said.
“Mahalaga na ipagdiwang ang araw na ito dahil hindi tumitigil ang Tsina sa pag-angkin ng hindi kanya,” she added. “It is important to celebrate this day because China does not cease to claim what is not rightfully hers.”