Abalos hits China monkey video, says ‘no place for racism in discourse’

MANILA, Philippines — Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. joined cabinet officials and lawmakers in its strong condemnation of the AI-generated video produced by a state-run media outlet in China depicting Filipinos as a monkey.

The video not only portrayed Philippines as a monkey, it also rejected the 2016 Arbitral Award that declared China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea invalid.

READ: Tarriela to senators: Demand China apology over ‘monkey’ video

“There is no place for racism or the dehumanization of any nation or people, especially in responsible public discourse,” Abalos said in a statement.

Then, he echoed the position of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the matter.

He pressed: “We join the Department of Foreign Affairs in strongly condemning the publication by China Daily of AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons that portray Filipinos in a racist and dehumanizing manner.”

Abalos also emphasized that Filipinos deserve respect, contrary to the portrayal of the Chinese media.

“As a Filipino, I take deep offense at any attempt to belittle our people through offensive and degrading imagery… The Filipino people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” he stated.

Since the video’s publication, the DFA has filed a diplomatic protest and has asked China Daily to take the videos down.

China, on the other hand, denied that the videos from the state-run media was “an act of the government.” /jpv