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Sam Beltran
SCMP Contributor
Sam Beltran is a journalist based in Manila who has written for publications in the Philippines and around Asia. Her stories explore food, lifestyle scenes, popular trends, and sub-cultures as windows into society and the human condition.
Officials ‘connecting the dots’ between arrest of alleged Chinese spy, underwater drones and Pogos as analysts call for stronger legal frameworks.
A group comprising Deng Yuanqing and two Filipinos is accused of spying on Philippine military bases, including where US troops have access.
Analysts say the agreement ‘commits both states to a status quo’ and urge the Philippines to hold firm on its South China Sea stance.
Lawmakers revive fears of ‘kill switch’ to power grid amid concerns about limited skill transfers to Filipinos and lack of operational transparency.
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Zhang Jie, one of Guo’s alleged associates, is a Singaporean national who purportedly helped in her escape from the Philippines last year.
Students in six regional countries are hopeful for the future, but worry about corruption, inequality and unemployment, a new survey shows.
Analysts warn the decision could weaken efforts to combat hate speech and misinformation in regions vulnerable to online manipulation.
Observers have speculated that Shigeru Ishiba’s government might be delaying ratification to avoid antagonising China.
The bill slams the ICC’s ‘illegitimate’ charges against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes related to the Israel-Gaza war.
Smaller breakaway networks could still ‘co-opt the country’s systems’ to continue underground and influence local politics, analysts warn.
Reviving a decades-old mothballed plant at Bataan would fast track adoption of nuclear, but concerns about safety and corruption persist.
Official say cyberattacks are a major security threats, but observers are sceptical the country can modernise its defences fast enough.
Analysts say Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to be legal counsel for her cases is aimed at leveraging his influence over the public and lawmakers.
The battle against corruption, crime and Chinese interference that offshore gaming operators represented is far from over, experts say.
During their talks in Manila, Philippine and Indian officials commit to a rules-based international order and discuss maritime cooperation.
Veloso, who was sentenced to death in Indonesia in 2010, is set to fly to Manila on Wednesday as her supporters fight to see her freed.
Instead of filing a new arbitration case against China, analysts suggest the Philippines use alternative strategies, including a judicial review of the 2016 ruling.
Deepfakes and disinformation aside, artificial intelligence also holds the potential to strengthen electoral integrity, a new report says.
The case of former mayor Alice Guo has exposed weaknesses of local agencies in dealing with security gaps linked to Chinese crime syndicates.
The Iglesia ni Cristo, known for its disciplined bloc voting, plans to protest against moves to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Manila’s Navy chief suggested adopting “grey zone” tactics – coercive actions below armed conflict – which analysts say will differ from Beijing’s.
An analyst suggests Beijing may be ‘adding fuel’ to domestic political tensions amid the ongoing Marcos-Duterte fallout.
This deployment, alongside advanced F-35C fighters, aims to counter China’s growing military influence and bolster defence ties with Tokyo.
This move comes after a surge in pro-Beijing propaganda and fake news targeting the armed forces and their stance on the South China Sea dispute.
The crackdown on scams and human trafficking may push the industry underground, fostering more sophisticated crimes like espionage and disinformation.
The vice-president’s backtracking of her comment about hiring an assassin to kill Marcos Jnr is linked to midterm elections, analysts say.
Latest comments also spark espionage fears as lawmaker claims Chinese intelligence officers may be working in to-be-banned offshore gaming hubs.
Southeast Asian elites prefer an Asean-led regional order, despite acknowledging China’s growing influence, but the bloc faces its own challenges.
Mary Jane Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking and has been on death row in Indonesia for 14 years.
While his anti-narcotics campaign once had widespread support, a survey indicates 59 per cent now approve of the investigation into it.
