The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned so-called scholars from China to stop spreading false narratives about the country's territory.

This came after Chinese scholars questioned the Philippines' ownership of the province of Batanes.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the statement of a Chinese scholar claiming that Batanes is supposedly part of China no longer deserves attention.

In a statement, DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel called the claims "flights of fancy," saying these are nothing more than fabricated stories and illusions.

The DFA stressed that the matter is settled and that the country's sovereignty over the said island is not up for debate.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ratonel added that the Philippines will no longer pay attention to revisionist claims, or attempts to alter history or the current state of the law in favor of another country.

The Foreign Affairs department also called on the so-called scholars to focus their efforts on truthful and well-intentioned research on the region.

The official also said that Batanes province in the Philippines is included in the approved consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Laoag.

This alone proves, the statement emphasized, that even the Chinese government, through its Consulate General in Laoag, officially recognizes that Batanes falls under the jurisdiction and laws of the Philippines.

In connection with this, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier called "kalokohan" (nonsense) and "katawa-tawa" (laughable) the statement of a Chinese scholar claiming that Batanes is supposedly part of China.

According to the secretary, the said statement has no basis and is nothing more than nonsense and laughable propaganda.

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