The recent AI-generated video published by China Daily that showed Filipinos as apes has understandably upset a lot of people, and it deserves to be taken seriously. The image is offensive, deeply racist, and completely out of line with the respect that should exist between nations.
The Philippine Government, along with anyone who believes in basic human dignity, has every reason to speak up strongly about it.
Calling people apes has long been one of the most insulting forms of racial discrimination. This kind of imagery has been used in many places to dehumanize people and entire communities, feed prejudice, justify discrimination, and strip people of their humanity. Because of that history, showing Filipinos—or any race or nationality—in this way is not just bad taste or a joke gone wrong.
It brings up painful historical baggage and goes against the basic idea that everyone deserves equal respect.
The issue came up while tension in the West Philippine Sea continues, where Philippines has consistently defended its sovereign rights and maritime entitlements under international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
It’s normal for countries to disagree over territorial and maritime issues, and governments will naturally stand up for what they believe is theirs. But those disputes should never be used as an excuse for racial insults, dehumanizing propaganda, or attacks on an entire people.
Countries that consider themselves civilized are expected to handle disagreements through diplomacy, open dialogue, respect for international law, and peaceful negotiation.
Responsible communication—especially from influential media outlets—should help build understanding, not stir up hostility or spread harmful stereotypes. Using racial videos does nothing to move the conversation forward or solve complicated international disputes.
If anything, it only makes mistrust worse and makes peaceful relations harder to maintain.
The fact that the video appeared in China Daily, a state-owned newspaper, has only made people more concerned. Many people understand that state-affiliated media usually work within clear editorial systems and are expected to be careful about what they publish.
That’s why questions have been raised about how something like this was approved or allowed to go out. Whether it was done on purpose or slipped through because of poor oversight, it points to a serious failure in judgment and cultural sensitivity.
Media organizations, especially ones with major national or international influence, have a duty to make sure their content reflects accuracy, fairness, and respect for human dignity. The publication could also undo years of diplomatic work aimed at keeping relations between Philippines and China stable and constructive.
Even when governments disagree on major policy issues, both countries have long-standing economic, cultural, educational, and people-to-people ties that matter to millions of citizens.
Incidents like this, which encourage racial hostility, can damage public trust and make it harder for diplomats to manage differences in a responsible way.
Because of all this, the Philippine Government has good reason to ask for clarification through proper diplomatic channels and, if needed, file a formal diplomatic protest asking for an explanation and a public apology. That kind of response is in line with normal diplomatic practice when a country’s people feel they’ve been insulted or discriminated against.
Raising the issue officially shows respect for international norms while still firmly defending the dignity of Filipinos.
At the same time, Filipinos should respond with unity, dignity, wisdom, and patriotism—not with hate or revenge. Racism should never be answered with more racism.
Instead, this should remind us why it’s important to stand up against discrimination in all its forms, no matter who it targets. By responding with restraint, respect, and confidence in justice and international law, Philippines strengthens its moral position and shows the values it stands for.
In the end, defending the dignity of the Filipino people is not just about national pride. It’s about standing up for the simple truth that every human being deserves equal respect, no matter their nationality, race, ethnicity, or culture.
In a world that’s becoming more connected through technology and artificial intelligence, governments, media organizations, and digital creators all have a bigger responsibility to make sure innovation is never used to spread prejudice or dehumanize others.
Real peace and genuine international cooperation can only grow where respect for human dignity is never up for debate. | NWI
