Senate President Win Gatchalian spoke out on Friday against an artificial intelligence-generated video released by a Chinese media outlet that featured an animated monkey wearing a traditional Barong Tagalog.
Gatchalian made it clear in his statement that the right to free speech never validates racist actions or the humiliation of a nation.
“Freedom of expression, even in political disputes, is not a license to dehumanize people. Racism has no space in any society that values truth and civility,” Gatchalian said.
The head of the Senate called for more dignified and considerate interactions between countries, pressuring media agencies and public platforms to exercise restraint and stop producing or spreading such divisive material.
“Disagreements between nations should sharpen our reasoning, not our prejudices. We call on all sides to be more circumspect, and to choose dialogue over derision,” he continued.
Furthermore, Gatchalian highlighted the duty of news organizations and digital communication networks within free societies to uphold honesty and foster respectful public discourse.
“Kinukundena natin ang pang-aabuso at pangungutya sa dignidad ng mga Pilipino. Malaki ang responsibilidad ng media sa paghubog ng pananaw ng mga bansa sa isa’t isa, at hindi ito dapat gamitin sa maling paraan,” he added.
Published by China Daily on July 10, the video reportedly utilized the monkey caricature to mock the Philippines’ territorial assertions regarding the West Philippine Sea.
The animation depicted the monkey as unintelligent, executing commands given by figures representing Japan and the United States, while also mispronouncing melodies associated with international law.