MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Friday was no holds barred in saying those who even thought that the northernmost island of Batanes was part of China by way of Taiwan extension likely needs medical help.
Teodo made his reaction in agreement to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ stand that fighting the newest false narrative of China on Batanes needs stronger pushback.
“Kasi, number one, hindi na ito, hindi lamang ito labag sa international law, hindi labag sa ating Saligang Batas, kung hindi labag sa normal na pag-iisip ng tao. Kaya yung gumawa niyan, palagay ko, si Secretary Herbosa, idulog natin na kung ano ang diperensya ng tao na yun,” Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award in Masinloc, Zambales.
(Because, number one, this is no longer—this is not only a violation of international law, not just a violation of our Constitution, but it is contrary to normal human thinking. That’s why whoever did that—I think [let’s have him consult] Secretary Herbosa—let's look into what is wrong with that person.)
Teodoro, who has been sanctioned by China over his relentless championing of Philippine territory, simply dismissed the claim as a “wild dream” and believing it signals a systemic dysfunction.
“Palagay ko, meron talagang diperensiya ano. At kung paniwalaan yun, naku, may systemic dysfunction ang lipunan na maniniwala doon. Kasi, grabe ang panaginip, eh. At hindi ko alam kung ano ang gamot na ininom nung mga yan e para umano ano. Palagay ko, gawa din sa China ‘yung gamot na ininom nila ano na wag naman sanang dalahin dito,” Teodoro added.
(I think there really is something wrong [with them]. And if people believe that, wow, the society that believes it has a systemic dysfunction. Because that dream is just too wild. And I don’t know what kind of medicine those people took to make them act like that. I think the medicine they took was also made in China, which I hope they don't bring here.)
At a recent symposium at the Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, Chinese academics "unanimously concluded" that the Batanes Islands are a "natural geographical extension of Taiwan"—and because Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan, they argued sovereignty over Batanes belongs to China as well.
Teodoro earlier dismissed the claim as a “joke” but said such a new narrative only reinforces Manila’s long-held assessment that Beijing intends to expand control over more maritime areas.
“It also validates what we’ve been saying — that they have a plan to control the whole Pacific Ocean,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the National West Philippine Sea Summit in Pasay City.
