The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday criticized China over a video released by state-controlled media China Daily that allegedly portrayed Filipinos as monkeys following the influence of Japan and the United States.
Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said Filipinos should not tolerate such a depiction.
Tarriela was referring to a one-minute video posted by China Daily showing a monkey wearing a barong and native hat while being coached by characters representing Japan and the US.
The video was related to ongoing talks between the Philippines and Japan on maritime boundary delimitation and to the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea, including areas within the West Philippine Sea.
“Isn’t it outrageous that the very country that is oppressing our rights in the West Philippine Sea is the one that has the audacity to make a video depicting Filipinos as monkeys who simply follow Japan and the United States?” Tarriela said.
He recalled China’s previous reaction after he posted a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping months ago regarding alleged Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela said China had criticized him over the caricature, with some senators even calling for an apology.
“I remember some senators who said I should apologize to China (for the caricature),” he said.
“Now, will they also say that China should apologize — because we Filipinos are the ones being insulted in this video?” he added.
Tarriela said Filipinos should not allow themselves to be portrayed as monkeys, emphasizing that they deserve respect as a nation.
“Only animals can do this (depiction) to their fellow human beings, and even worse than animals are those who do not know how to obey international law,” he said, referring to China.
AFP Welcomes DOJ Maritime Law Unit
Meanwhile, Rear Admiral (res.) Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, welcomed the Department of Justice’s creation of a maritime law unit to help preserve and strengthen the country’s legal position following the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The AFP warmly welcomes and stands in full support of the DOJ’s establishment of a dedicated maritime law unit to serve as a central repository of legal expertise on the 2016 Arbitral Award and international maritime law,” Trinidad said in a statement.
He said the military, together with the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, has continued to maintain a “physical presence and patrol” in Philippine maritime areas.
Trinidad said the new DOJ unit would provide the country with the legal foundation needed to sustain its gains.
“The creation of the unit provides the critical legal armor we need to sustain our gains,” he said.
“By strengthening our domestic legal expertise and consolidating our legal records, the government ensures that our actions at sea remain firmly anchored in international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Trinidad added.
He said the AFP remains committed to protecting the country’s maritime domain, Filipino fisherfolk and maritime interests.
“The AFP remains resolute in its mandate to secure our maritime domain, protect our brave Filipino fisherfolk, and preserve our maritime heritage,” Trinidad said.