The Stratbase Institute, a Philippine think tank, has called on the Philippine government to formally reject a recent assertion by a Chinese newspaper, Global Times, claiming that Batanes is legally part of Taiwan. The Global Times published an opinion piece on September 3rd arguing that historical evidence supports this claim, a statement the Stratbase Institute deems a threat to Philippine territorial integrity. Stratbase warns that accepting such narratives could weaken the Philippines' sovereignty and its position in the West Philippine Sea dispute. The institute stresses the importance of a strong governmental response to counter this disinformation. They emphasize the need to protect the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Batanes. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and assertive claims emanating from China regarding territories in the region. The Stratbase Institute believes a clear and decisive rebuttal is crucial.