Teodoro calls China’s claims on Batanes a “joke”

The Philippines’ defense secretary described as a “joke” a Chinese scholar’s claim that the country’s northernmost island is part of China’s territory.

Manuel Mogato | July 10, 2026

MANILA — The Philippines’ defense secretary described as a “joke” a Chinese scholar’s claim that the country’s northernmost island is part of China’s territory.

“We know there is no basis for this,” Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters at the sidelines of the National West Philippine Sea Summit held at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City.

“It’s a joke, and it’s ludicrous. Probably it’s a signaling of a preconceived intention already.”

At a forum at Jinan University in southern China on June 30, a Chinese scholar said that Batan Island in northern Luzon is connected to Taiwan and is, therefore, part of China’s sovereignty

Teodoro said the Chinese scholar’s claim was concerning.

“It is not far-fetched to think that it is part of their plan. And it also validates what we have been saying that they have a plan to control the entire Pacific Ocean. What is this for? Right?” said Teodoro.

He feared the Chinese people would readily believe the Chinese scholar’s assertion.

“Their people will believe this,” he said. “Their people are brainwashed. So this is concerning, and this must be contested. We see the disinformation in the guise of historical scholarship in a closed society, namely China. Once again, (they are) spewing out false narratives in our northern area.”

The Philippines and China are locked in a territorial dispute over a group of atolls and shoals in the South China Sea, a strategic body of water where $3 trillion of trade passes annually. (Also read: Philippines rejects China’s proposal to set up ‘common fishing ground’)

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have conflicting claims in the area.