A Philippine think tank, the Stratbase Institute, has strongly criticized China’s continued claims over Batanes province, located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. The Institute labeled the renewed assertions as a deliberate effort to create uncertainty regarding Philippine sovereignty. This condemnation follows an opinion piece published by China’s state-controlled Global Times, which reignited the dispute. Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit accused China of attempting to manufacture ambiguity through these repeated claims. The think tank asserts that Batanes is unequivocally Philippine territory. The statement underscores growing concerns regarding China’s assertive behavior in the region and its impact on Philippine national interests, and specifically, the province of Batanes. This latest issue exacerbates ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.