Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has rejected China’s claim that a racist video produced by China Daily was not a government-backed operation. The video, which depicts Filipinos as monkeys, drew significant criticism and prompted a formal protest from Manila. China’s Foreign Ministry stated the video was AI-generated and not a state-sponsored act, an explanation Teodoro found unpersuasive. The Department of National Defense believes the video was, in fact, state-sponsored given its origin from a state-owned media outlet. This incident further strains already tense relations between the Philippines and China. Teodoro’s dismissal underscores Manila's skepticism regarding Beijing’s explanations for escalating aggressive actions within the South China Sea and beyond.