The Philippine government condemned an AI-generated video released by Chinese state-run media outlet China Daily that depicted the Philippines as a “ragged monkey,” calling it racist, offensive, and an attempt to advance Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.
The video showed a monkey wearing a traditional Philippine salakot being portrayed as influenced by the United States and Japan to promote the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea. It also depicted the character being blasted with a water cannon by the China Coast Guard.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized the material, saying it reflected what he described as the view of the “Chinese communist apparatus” toward Filipinos.
“This mockery of the lawful 2016 Arbitral Award and the video’s glorification of violence against the Filipino people and soldiers expose the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of China’s propaganda machine,” Teodoro said.
The Defense chief said the video demonstrated China’s alleged insecurity and weakened its claim of being a responsible regional power.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela also condemned the video, pointing to what he described as China’s double standard after Beijing previously criticized caricatures of its leaders made in the Philippines.
“Mga kababayang Pilipino hindi po tayo UNGGOY, at huwag tayong pumayag na gawing UNGGOY!” Tarriela said, urging Filipinos not to accept what he called a degrading portrayal of the country.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) demanded the removal of the video, saying it went beyond political commentary and became “blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing and racist” content.
“The Philippines demands that the offensive material be taken down, calls for the immediate cessation of such irresponsible content, and urges China to uphold dignity, respect, and truth in public discourse,” the DFA said.
The agency said disagreements involving legal and political issues should not be used as justification for racist imagery, warning that such propaganda could further damage trust between the Philippines and China.