Manila: Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Friday rejected claims by Chinese academics that Batanes falls under the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China through Taiwan. The staunch advocate and principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law when he was still a senator called the latest Chinese claim a case of "lawfare" and "historical revisionism."

According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino emphasized that "Batanes is part of the Philippines and will always be." He highlighted that sovereignty is demonstrated through "effectivit©s," referring to the continuous, peaceful, effective exercise of state authority. The Philippines, Tolentino asserted, has exhibited this through generations of governance, public services, courts, elections, and investment in the Ivatan people.

Tolentino also underscored the historical and constitutional record, noting that the 1935 Constitution established Batanes' northern boundary at 21° 25' North. This boundary is supported by the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the 1900 Treaty of Washington, and the 1930 US-UK Convention. He pointed out that Batanes' Ivatan heritage predates these treaties by centuries, and that Spain formally annexed the islands into the Philippine archipelago in 1783 under Governor-General Jos© Basco y Vargas.

"These are not theories. They are facts of governance," Tolentino declared, cautioning that such academic claims often serve as precursors to gray-zone tactics intended to destabilize the region. "We will not allow selective, revisionist interpretations to compromise our territorial integrity," he stated.

Meanwhile, Tolentino instructed Batanes' provincial labor office to prepare for Typhoon Inday, directing the agency to ensure swift processing of assistance for workers affected by the storm once it passes.