MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned that recent claims by a Chinese academic linking Batanes to Taiwan should be treated as a potential national security concern rather than dismissed as mere rhetoric, saying such narratives could signal Beijing’s broader territorial ambitions and influence operations against the Philippines.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Peace Walk commemorating the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, Teodoro urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against narratives that could be used to justify future Chinese territorial claims.
“This is signaling on their part. It’s good that it’s ridiculous, but maybe to their citizens it might not be because their citizens have no access to free information. So, we still have to take all these threats seriously,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief was referring to remarks by a Chinese academic claiming that Batanes historically belonged to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. The assertion has drawn criticism from Philippine officials and legal experts, including former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who challenged China to bring the issue before an international court if it has a legal basis.
Teodoro said the Philippines’ immediate priority is to prevent any intrusion into its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone surrounding Batanes.
“Let’s dissect this. It’s not an official statement, but in a closed society like China, with the 2017 National Security Law of China, any Chinese subject, any academic who makes a statement in China, it becomes a quasi-state statement,” he said.
He also cautioned Filipinos against possible foreign influence activities operating within the country.
“So, hindi lang dapat tayo bumantay dito sa mga naratibo sa China kung hindi ang gawain ng kanilang mga ahente dito,” he said.
Teodoro stressed that the Armed Forces’ defense posture extends beyond the West Philippine Sea to include the country’s entire maritime territory, including the Pacific seaboard, the Philippine Rise, and the northern frontier in Batanes.
“Our preparations are for the whole Philippines, not only the West Philippine Sea,” he said, adding that the country continues to strengthen its deterrence capabilities.
While acknowledging that the 2016 arbitral award has not stopped China’s actions in the disputed waters, Teodoro said the ruling has significantly undermined Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims and strengthened international support for the Philippines.
“It will not deter China, which is determined. So, we have to resist China,” he said. “It has isolated and more discredited China’s claims.”
The Philippines won the landmark arbitral case on July 12, 2016, when the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s expansive nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea. Although Beijing continues to reject the ruling, the decision remains final and legally binding under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea./PN
