Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Thursday dismissed the recent claims of Chinese scholars that the Batanes Islands supposedly belong to China, saying such assertions must still be taken seriously as part of efforts to push a false narrative, reported RH 52 Edniel Parrosa.

Teodoro made the remark after a group of Chinese scholars reportedly claimed during a symposium in Guangzhou on June 30 that the Philippines’ Batanes Islands legally belong to China through Taiwan.

While he described the claim with a joke, the Defense chief warned that similar narratives could be used to influence public perception and undermine the country’s territorial claims.

“Kailangan siguro ang pagpasagutin natin dito ay si (DOH) Secretary (Teodoro) Herbosa. Dahil mukhang matindi ang tama ng gumawa nun,” Teodoro said.

“Ngunit, sa kabila ng hindi pagsiseryoso, gano’n nagsisimula ang kanilang mga gawain sa false narrative. Ganun ang partido niya. So, seryosohin natin ito. Huwag nating biru-biruin ito,” he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier rejected the claims, saying the Philippines’ sovereignty over Batanes is already settled and cannot be questioned.

“Flights of fancy should not be dignified with a response. Nevertheless, the Philippines' sovereignty over Batanes is settled and not up for debate,” the DFA said.

The department stressed that the Philippines will not entertain what it called “revisionist claims” over its territory and urged scholars to focus on “genuine, good-faith studies” about the region.

“The Philippine-approved Consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Laoag includes the Philippine province of Batanes,” the DFA added.

The DFA statement came after maritime transparency group SeaLight reported that Chinese scholars made the territorial claim during the Guangzhou symposium. The report described the move as a possible “lawfare” effort aimed at supporting China’s recent activities in the area, although it noted that Chinese government officials have not formally endorsed the scholars’ conclusions.

Batanes, the country’s northernmost province, is internationally recognized as part of Philippine territory and has been under Philippine administration.