The National Maritime Council (NMC) reiterated that a racist video published by China Daily cannot alter the Philippines' legal rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The council emphasized that the Philippines' maritime entitlements are grounded in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.

The statement comes after criticism from Philippine officials over an AI-generated video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys and mocked the 2016 tribunal ruling.The NMC condemned the video as inconsistent with ethical journalism and warned that ridicule hinders diplomatic efforts.

The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a formal protest against China over the content, while the Department of National Defense and Philippine Coast Guard also denounced the material as offensive.The NMC urged governments to avoid discriminatory rhetoric and promote dialogue based on mutual respect and the rule of law.Despite the controversy, the Philippines remains committed to resolving disputes through peaceful, rules-based mechanisms.The incident highlights ongoing tensions over maritime boundaries and the importance of international legal frameworks in resolving such conflicts.