Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has strongly condemned a recent post by China Daily depicting Filipinos as monkeys, labeling it as racist propaganda. Teodoro denounced the imagery as a deeply offensive and unacceptable representation of the Filipino people. The post has sparked outrage in the Philippines, exacerbating existing tensions between the two nations. This incident comes amid ongoing disputes in the South China Sea and increasingly assertive actions by China in the region. Critics argue the post is part of a larger disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the Philippines' sovereignty and bolstering China’s territorial claims. The Philippine government has demanded an explanation from China Daily and expects a retraction and apology. This incident further strains already complex bilateral relations.