China robots infest Philippine politics

China subsidizes research and development of humanoid robots. On Aug. 17, Hangzhou firm Unitree unveiled a prototype named Superman. It ran 12.66 meters per second, faster than world-record sprinter Usain Bolt’s 12.42 meters per second. Not knowing how to brake, Superman slammed onto a wall and was stretchered away. Two days later, Unitree debuted at Shanghai stock market, where its share price jumped 460 percent.

China has humanoids in the Philippines too. They mimic Beijing’s propaganda, downplaying Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea and labeling patriotic protest as US-inspired. So adept are they in treason that Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro has had to cajole them to resign.

VP Sara Duterte reacted by gaslighting on Aug. 6: “Pangalanan kung sino ‘yong officials na nagde-defend sa China over WPS issue. Hindi puwedeng magbitaw ng ganoong salita, pero hindi mo naman papangalanan. Suspect kahit ang Presidente kasi walang pangalan.”

Sara is scion of self-professed Xi Jinping lover Rody Duterte. Campaigning for president in 2016, Rody was asked by fishermen what he’d do to protect them from Chinese machine gunning and water cannoning at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. He promised: “I will jet ski to the Spratlys, plant the Philippine flag and declare, ‘This is ours’.”

Two weeks into his presidency on July 12, 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration rubbished Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the entire South China Sea. PCA also upheld Philippine exclusive economic zone sovereign rights over Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which China grabbed in 1995. Rody dismissed the ruling as “mere scrap of paper.”

On Feb. 19, 2018 Rody begged Xi: “Gawin niyo na lang kaming province, parang Fujian, Province of Philippines, Republic of China.”

On June 9, 2019 a China Maritime Militia steel trawler rammed an anchored Filipino wooden boat at Recto (Reed) Bank off Palawan. Twenty-two fishermen were thrown overboard. The trespasser fled, in violation of international maritime rules against hit-and-run. Rody belittled it as “an ordinary sea accident.”

On May 10, 2021 WPS fishermen reminded Rody about his 2016 declaration to defend them. “Panahon ‘yon ng kampanya,” he snorted. “‘Yong biro na ‘yon, ‘yong bravado ko, was pure campaign joke, at kung naniwala kayo I would say you are really stupid.”

VP Sara at first had “no comment” when asked about Chinese menacing at WPS on April 8, 2024. She has since learned to counterattack:

• May 7, 2025: “Bakit ko naman atakihin ang China? Ang problema natin dito ay ang hindi pagtupad sa mga pangako, tulad ng P20-per-kilo na bigas.”

• June 24, 2026: “Our problems in WPS don’t make up our entire relation with China so there’s no reason to lean towards the US. You always have to stay in the middle because you’re not part of the bigger conflict.”

• June 27, 2026: “The administration of President Marcos leans towards the US and is alienating China. I believe that the Philippines shouldn’t be involved in cooperation and competition at the same time with the US and China, being a middle power in the game of supremacy and domination.”

In 2022, Manila started exposing to the world all Chinese harassments. Being the most vocal, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela was targeted by pro-Beijing commentators for defamation.

Jan. 14, 2026 Tarriela uploaded photos from his lecture in universities about “Why China remains a bully,” with a caricature of Xi. Fifteen of 24 senators signed a resolution of support.

The Chinese embassy protested, calling Tarriela’s lecture “blatant political provocation.” Automatons at the Senate activated:

• Imee Marcos, Jan. 28: “I don’t seek to silence debate or diminish the right of officials to defend Philippine sovereignty. But reckless statements [against China] can have real consequences on our ability to protect national interests, particularly in sensitive areas such as maritime domain.”

• Alan Cayetano, Feb. 9: “The question kay Commodore Tarriela is, officially sanctioned ba yan? Tama lang na tanungin ng Chinese ambassador, bakit? If a general in China makes a caricature of President Bongbong, dapat i-protest ng ating ambassador. We cannot pass this resolution saying Commodore Tarriela is correct because he’s wrong.”

Davao city Mayor Sebastian Duterte joined the fray, Feb. 16: “I hate to see the [Chinese] ambassador having to deal with the behavior that’s unfriendly towards a loving and peaceful neighbor.”

On July 10 state-owned China Daily posted an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as a monkey controlled by US and Japan hands. Teodoro and Tarriela led the public outcry against it. China robots retaliated:

• Sen. Robin Padilla: “Mr. Tarriela, it was you who drew first blood. This escalation into wartime propaganda was your genius creation. As for the Chinese media, aren’t we all monkeys of different colors in the eyes of white colonizers?”

• Rep. Paolo Duterte: “Why demonize China? China isn’t the only country that has claims on WPS. You know, Gibo, the job of defense secretary is not to give loyalty exams to elected officials. Your job is to strengthen our defense, not to label people who don’t agree with your views. If you want someone to resign, start with yourself because your father is Chinese.”

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta claimed on Feb. 4 that the WPS is a mere Philippine concoction with no geographic coordinates. Critics exposed his ignorance. WPS coordinates are listed in:

• Maritime Zones Act of November 2024 when Marcoleta was congressman, which reinforces the Philippines Baselines Act of 2009;

• 1734 Murillo Velarde Map, 1808 and 1875 Spanish colonial maps, all with depth measurements and which identify the Kalayaan Island Group as Bajos de Paragua and Panatag as Bajo de Masinloc.

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