About 100 protesters staged a lightning rally at the CCP Complex on Friday, coinciding with the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where China’s foreign minister is expected to attend.

The demonstration, led by the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, denounced what the group described as Beijing’s continued aggression, harassment and bullying in the West Philippine Sea, as reported by RH Jecelle Ricafort.

Protesters also condemned a recent racist attack against Filipinos, particularly the portrayal of Filipinos as monkeys in an artificial intelligence-generated video published by China Daily.

Giselle Albano, spokesperson of the group, called on China to issue a public apology and to take down the video.

The rally was held near the venue of the regional meeting, which has drawn heightened security as foreign ministers from Southeast Asia and dialogue partners gather for talks.