Manila, July 10 -- Batanes Lone District Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. on Friday rejected claims made by Chinese scholars alleging that Batanes is part of China.

In a statement, Gato said he views with "grave concern" the recent claims made during an academic symposium in China asserting that Batanes is a natural geographical extension of Taiwan with sovereignty belonging to China.

"Batanes is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The Ivatans are Filipinos. These are enduring truths established by history, affirmed by our Constitution and laws, and embodied in the identity and collective experience of our people," Gato said.

He said any insinuation that seeks to question or undermine the absolute sovereignty of the Republic of the ...