The Department of National Defense (DND) strongly condemned a recent report published by Chinese state media that questioned the Philippines’ sovereignty over the Batanes Islands.
The defense department issued its reaction following an opinion piece published on September 3 by China’s state-run Global Times titled “History shows that Batanes Islands do not belong to the Philippines.”
Written by Wang Yuanyuan of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, the article alleged that Batanes shares historical and legal connections with Taiwan and claimed there is no legal basis to consider the northernmost island province part of Philippine territory.
Denouncing the publication as “state-sponsored propaganda,” the DND accused Beijing of consistently pushing distorted claims regarding Philippine territory.
“Mariing kinukundena ng Department of National Defense (DND) ang state-sponsored propaganda na nag-aangking bahagi ng Tsina ang Batanes,” the defense agency stated.
The agency firmly asserted that Batanes and all other areas across the archipelago have never been part of China, affirming its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Hindi kailanman naging bahagi ng Tsina ang Batanes o anumang lugar sa Pilipinas, at kailanman ay hindi natin hahayaan ang anumang pagtatangka sa soberanya at teritoryo ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” the DND added.
This latest dispute occurs amid persistent territorial and maritime friction between Manila and Beijing, with both governments maintaining their firm stances on sovereignty and jurisdiction in the region.
The defense department reiterated that it will continuously counter any maneuvers aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines.