MANILA, Philippines, Ten years have passed since the issuance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over parts of the disputed waters. Despite initial hesitation from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who dismissed the ruling as “a mere piece of paper” and threatened to discard it, the Philippines has increasingly leveraged the award to bolster its maritime security posture. The ruling, delivered by an ad hoc tribunal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), invalidated China’s so-called “nine-dash line” claim and held Beijing accountable for environmental damage caused by its artificial island-building activities. During Duterte’s tenure, the Philippines largely ignored the ruling, allowing Chinese vessels to operate freely in the region. However, the past decade has seen a shift in policy and strategy. With the current administration under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., there has been renewed emphasis on asserting the Philippines’ legal standing based on the arbitration. This pivot comes amid growing geopolitical tensions and the need for the country to assert its sovereignty in the strategically vital South China Sea. In early July 2026, the Philippines faced a new challenge when China Daily, a state-run media outlet linked to the Chinese Communist Party, released an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys controlled by the hands of the United States and Japan. The video portrayed a monkey wearing traditional Filipino attire being subjected to water cannons and ultimately discarded into the ocean, symbolizing the perceived dominance of external powers over the Philippines. The video was accompanied by a narrative that sought to delegitimize the 2016 ruling and cast doubt on the Philippines’ legal claims. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) swiftly condemned the video, calling it “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist.” Officials argued that the portrayal of Filipinos as monkeys was deeply offensive and served only to deepen mistrust between the two nations. The DFA emphasized that disagreement over legal and political matters should not justify the use of such inflammatory imagery. The department also noted that the video contained misleading information about the arbitration, which had been widely accepted by over 100 countries, including the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union. The video sparked widespread outrage among Filipino citizens and lawmakers. Several members of Congress, including Leila de Lima, accused China of displaying arrogance and insecurity, claiming that the video exposed the “moral bankruptcy and intellectual desperation” of Beijing’s propaganda efforts. Others, such as Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, called for a return to respectful dialogue and urged media outlets to avoid spreading divisive content. The video was also criticized for undermining the Philippines’ efforts to enforce its legal claims in the South China Sea, particularly in light of ongoing disputes involving neighboring countries like Vietnam and Taiwan. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing reportedly raised concerns with Chinese authorities, demanding the removal of the video. A formal diplomatic protest was filed, and representatives met with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. Despite these efforts, no official response has been received from either the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy in Manila. The situation has further complicated bilateral relations, as the video is seen as part of a broader pattern of Chinese attempts to discredit the Philippines’ legal stance and weaken its influence in the region. Meanwhile, the Philippines continues to emphasize the importance of the 2016 ruling as a cornerstone of its maritime policy. Legal experts, including retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, have stressed that the award represents a legally binding precedent that must be upheld. The ruling not only established the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but also highlighted the environmental consequences of China’s territorial expansion. These factors have reinforced the need for the Philippines to maintain a firm stance on its legal claims, even as it navigates complex diplomatic and military challenges in the South China Sea. As the 10th anniversary of the arbitration approaches, the Philippines faces the dual task of defending its legal position and countering aggressive narratives from China. The recent controversy surrounding the China Daily video underscores the high stakes of the dispute and the potential for further escalation. The outcome of this conflict will likely shape the future of Southeast Asian geopolitics for years to come.
6 reports
RapplerIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 803 days agoThe article discusses the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling in the South China Sea case, which affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights over certain areas of the sea. During his presidency, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed the ruling as insignificant, calling it 'a mere piece of paper' that he would 'toss into the trash can.' This approach allowed China to assert greater influence in the region. However, the Philippines has since shifted strategy, using the ruling to strengthen its position in maritime security. The article highlights how the ruling remains relevant today and is being leveraged by the current administration.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Duterte administration's dismissal of the arbitral award as a failure, implying criticism of his policies. It contrasts this with the current administration's more strategic use of the ruling, suggesting a shift toward a more assertive stance on maritime sovereignty. The tone赞
Why factuality (90): The article closely aligns with the DFA's statement, accurately describing the content of the China Daily video and the DFA's condemnation of it as 'demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist.' It includes the exact date of the DFA's protest (July 10) and references the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
Why objectivity (80): The article remains largely objective, presenting the facts without overt bias. It acknowledges the DFA's stance and the controversy surrounding the video without taking sides or injecting personal opinion. However, it could benefit from including more context on China's response to the allegations.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 709 hr. agoThe Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair, Lala Sotto, criticized China Daily for publishing AI-generated videos that portrayed Filipinos in a 'racist and dehumanizing' manner. She expressed solidarity with Filipinos offended by the content and supported the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in condemning the depictions. The videos, which included an AI-generated clip showing a monkey wearing a traditional Filipino garment and being sprayed with water, were shared on China Daily’s Facebook page. The DFA formally protested the content, and Malacañang stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finds the portrayal unacceptable. While noting that the content falls outside her agency’s jurisdiction, Sotto emphasized the need for responsible use of emerging technologies and called for greater collaboration between government agencies, content creators, and streaming platforms.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the issue through the lens of national dignity and sovereignty, emphasizing the offense caused to Filipinos by foreign media. It highlights the government’s stance against the portrayal, aligning with nationalist sentiments. The focus on the DFA’s protest and the president’s disav
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the MTRCB's condemnation of China Daily's content as 'racist and dehumanizing,' aligning with the DFA's official stance. However, it omits specific details from the primary source, like the exact date of the DFA's protest (July 10) and the mention of the feedback form
Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged terms like 'racist' and 'dehumanizing' without providing counterpoints or alternative interpretations. While it mentions the DFA's stance, it frames the issue as clearly unacceptable without exploring potential nuances or perspectives from China.
RapplerIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 554 days ago Philippines tells Beijing: Take down ‘irresponsible, racist’ China Daily videoThe Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs condemned a China Daily video for its racist portrayal of Filipinos as monkeys, arguing that the content exacerbates mistrust between the two countries. The video, published on July 10, 2026, depicts an anthropomorphic monkey wearing traditional Filipino attire being controlled by symbols representing the USA and Japan, then subjected to harsh treatment and environmental criticism. The DFA accused China Daily, a state-run media outlet, of using demeaning and racist imagery that undermines diplomatic discourse. The video was part of China's broader campaign to challenge the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which ruled against China's territorial claims and held it responsible for environmental damage. The Philippines emphasized that while disagreements over legal matters are acceptable, the use of offensive imagery crosses into unacceptable behavior.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Philippines' condemnation of the China Daily video as a justified response to racist and dehumanizing portrayals, emphasizing the harm caused to bilateral relations. It highlights the Philippines' stance against misinformation and the use of offensive imagery, aligning with a左
Why factuality (80): The article accurately conveys the DFA's condemnation of the China Daily video and its characterization as 'racist.' It includes relevant details such as the date of the video's release (July 10) and the DFA's reference to the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. However, it adds some interpretive e
Why objectivity (55): The article uses strong language like 'entitled bully' and 'moral bankruptcy' to describe China's actions, which introduces a subjective tone. While it presents the DFA's position, it does so in a way that emphasizes the negative aspects of China's behavior without offering a balanced view.
RapplerIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 652 days ago China Daily’s AI-generated video depicts the Philippines as a monkeyChina Daily, a state-run newspaper associated with the Chinese Communist Party, released an AI-generated video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys, mocking the Philippines' stance on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The video was released close to the anniversary of a significant legal ruling concerning the Philippines' maritime claims. The content has drawn strong criticism from both the Philippine government and Filipino citizens, leading to protests and widespread outrage. The article highlights the controversy surrounding the video and references an analysis by Rappler's Bea Cupin regarding the arguments being used by Beijing.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the China Daily video as a provocative and biased representation of the Philippines, aligning with criticisms from Philippine authorities and citizens. It emphasizes the negative portrayal of the Philippines by an external entity linked to the Chinese Communist Party, suggesting a
Why factuality (75): The article accurately describes the release of the China Daily video and its impact on the Philippines. It provides context about the 2016 arbitral award and references the DFA's condemnation. However, it does not include specific quotes from the DFA's statement or the exact dates mentioned in the
Why objectivity (65): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone compared to others, focusing on the content of the video and its implications. However, it still leans toward criticizing China's actions without presenting opposing views or providing deeper context on China's perspective.
RapplerIndependentProgressiveFactual 60Objective 4023 hr. ago [EDITORIAL] China wants to change status quo via racist videoThe article discusses a controversial video produced by China's state-run media outlet China Daily, which depicts Filipinos as monkeys. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the video as 'demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist,' while the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed it does not reflect the government's position. The article criticizes China's actions as part of a broader strategy to challenge the Philippines' sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, particularly around the disputed Antelope Reef. It notes that this comes amid the 10th anniversary of the 2016 UNCLOS arbitration ruling, which affirmed the Philippines' exclusive economic zone rights. The piece highlights the tension between the principles of international law and China's assertive territorial claims.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames China's actions as morally bankrupt and strategically opportunistic, emphasizing the violation of international law and human dignity. It supports the Philippines' legal stance against China's territorial claims and criticizes China's use of dehumanizing propaganda. The tone is un
Why factuality (60): The article contains strong editorial commentary and lacks direct sourcing from the DFA's statement. It makes assertions like 'China Daily abandoned its pretense of professionalism' without citing evidence. The article references the Chinese Foreign Ministry's response but does not verify if this wa
Why objectivity (40): The article is highly biased, using phrases like 'moral bankruptcy' and 'bangkaroteng moralidad' to describe China's actions. It presents a clear pro-Philippine perspective without offering balanced analysis or considering alternative viewpoints. The tone is confrontational and lacks neutrality.
RapplerIndependentConservative3 days ago ‘Entitled bully’: PH lawmakers slam China over state media’s racist ‘monkey’ videoPhilippine lawmakers strongly criticized a China Daily video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys controlled by the U.S. and Japan, labeling it racist and reflecting China's arrogance and insecurity over maritime disputes. The video, released on July 10, features an anthropomorphic monkey wearing Filipino traditional attire being manipulated by forces labeled 'USA' and 'Japan,' followed by a sequence symbolizing environmental destruction. Legislators like Leila de Lima accused China of undermining the Philippines' stance on the West Philippine Sea, a disputed area in the South China Sea. The Philippine government and officials have publicly protested the video, demanding its removal, while China's defense chief has faced sanctions for past remarks on China's actions in the region.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the video as evidence of China's arrogance and insecurity, aligning with narratives that portray China as aggressive and disrespectful toward the Philippines. The emphasis on China's alleged disrespect and the portrayal of China as an 'entitled bully' reflect a right-leaning frame
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