Filipino Senators Slam China Daily for 'Racist,' 'Unacceptable' Monkey Video

Philippine senators on Friday called for the immediate removal and apology for an AI-generated video posted by China Daily, a state-run Chinese media outlet, which depicts Filipinos as monkeys, calling it unacceptable and racist. Senator Francis Pangilinan lambasted the video as "outright racist, dehumanizing, and completely unacceptable." He stated that it is improper for any media organization claiming to serve the truth, especially a state-run outlet representing a country, to release such content. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has also demanded China Daily take down the video, describing it as "racist" and "deeply offensive." The post was made two days before the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's landmark decision in July 2016, which upheld the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. The video featured a monkey dressed in traditional Filipino attire, barong tagalog and salakot, being dictated to by what appeared to be American and Japanese characters. It also depicted the monkey being sprayed with a water cannon on the high seas after being given the arbitral award. Pangilinan expressed disappointment that such a video came from China, a country whose citizens have also experienced racism and discrimination elsewhere. He urged the Chinese government to order China Daily to immediately remove the video, issue a clear public apology, and hold accountable all those responsible for its creation and dissemination. He emphasized that true global leadership is based on dignity, respect for others, and accountability, not on spreading racist stereotypes presented as information or commentary. Senator Panfilo Lacson questioned, "If they consider Filipinos as monkeys, then what are they in terms of traits and characteristics?" Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned the video but stated that the Philippines "will take the high road and refuse to answer such provocation with the same contempt." He argued that while disagreements over the West Philippine Sea exist, no self-respecting nation should allow such disputes to descend into racism and dehumanization. Disputes, he added, are settled by law, evidence, and diplomacy, not by intimidation, threats, and crude propaganda. The Philippines will continue to uphold the rights affirmed under the 2016 Arbitral Award and defend its position through law, facts, and diplomacy. Senator Robinhood Padilla supported the DFA and called for the continued exercise of diplomacy in resolving disagreements between states. He stated that freedom of expression and political discourse must never be an excuse for racism, dehumanization, or attacks on the dignity of any people, and depicting Filipinos in such an offensive manner is unacceptable and deserves unequivocal condemnation. Disagreements between states should be addressed through diplomacy, international law, and respectful dialogue—not through propaganda that insults an entire nation and undermines efforts to build trust and understanding. The Philippine government sued China before an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2013, which ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016, junking China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the ruling. Source: GMA News Philippines