Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday strongly denounced an artificial intelligence-generated video released by Chinese state media that portrays Filipinos as monkeys, asserting that the derogatory depiction exposes China’s own character.
“Kung unggoy ang turing nila sa mga Pilipino, ano sila kung pag-uugali at karakter ang batayan?” Lacson said.
The controversial video was shared on July 10 via China Daily’s social media channels. It forms part of Beijing’s propaganda efforts against Manila’s historic 2016 arbitral triumph, which nullified China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In the animated clip, a monkey clad in a traditional barong holds a document labeled “South China Sea arbitration award.”
Characters symbolizing Japan and the United States subsequently toss the figure into the ocean, where it is targeted by a water cannon from a ship resembling a China Coast Guard vessel.
The propaganda piece was broadcast just days ahead of the July 12 anniversary marking a decade since the 2016 arbitral decision, which concluded that Beijing lacks any legal foundation for its historic resource claims within its unilateral “nine-dash line.”
Lacson pointed out that Beijing’s persistent aggression toward Philippine vessels in the WPS has backfired, only serving to solidify global backing for Manila’s adherence to the arbitral ruling.
He highlighted the China Coast Guard’s deployment of water cannons and other hostile maneuvers against Filipino ships engaged in legitimate maritime operations.
To secure a credible defense posture, Lacson emphasized that the Philippines must simultaneously wipe out corruption, boost economic growth, and upgrade the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) fiercely criticized the China Daily material, labeling it “blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing and racist” while demanding its immediate deletion.
Manila has filed formal diplomatic protests both locally and through its embassy in Beijing, underscoring that geopolitical and legal disputes provide no justification for resorting to racist media.