Senator Robin Padilla on Friday renewed his criticism of Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela over their public dispute on an AI-generated video published by China’s state-run China Daily.
In a social media post, Padilla said his office had officially condemned the AI-generated video but questioned why Tarriela directed his criticism at fellow Filipinos instead of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.
The senator said demeaning caricatures have long been used in wartime propaganda in different countries, including the Philippines, China and Japan.
Padilla also accused Tarriela of attacking fellow Filipinos despite, he claimed, being unable to confront the China Coast Guard directly.
The exchange comes after the Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest against China over AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons published by China Daily, which it described as containing “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos.” Tarriela had earlier criticized Padilla’s remarks on the issue.
