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The Philippines

The Philippines
The Philippines
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the Philippines, covering politics, economy, society, and Manila’s relationships with China and its Southeast Asian neighbours.
Screenshot of CCTV camera footage showing the moment before two Japanese nationals were shot and killed in Manila’s Ermita district on Friday night. Photo: Handout
Crime

Murder of 2 Japanese nationals in Philippines triggers special police probe

CCTV footage shows the victims being attacked by several assailants while exiting a taxi near the Sheraton Manila Bay hotel.

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Crime in Hong Kong

6 domestic helpers held for ‘running dirty, illegal dental clinic’ in Hong Kong

South China Sea

Philippines’ Subic Bay play aims to anchor US naval strategy in Asia

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China-Philippines relations

US defence giant makes a soft power play in the Philippines with R&D hub

The US defence giant’s ‘soft-power’ play with ‘hard-power’ effects is a combination China will find concerning, analysts say.

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Lockheed Martin’s factory at Fort Worth, US. Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS
Asean

Opinion | Asean-China trade pact update could not have come at a better time

Despite obstacles to enhancing mutual trust, revamping trade ties offers opportunities for both parties amid intensifying global competition.

Reproductive health

Filipinos increasingly open to sex education as teen pregnancies, HIV cases rise

Three in four Filipinos support sex education, survey shows, despite religious opposition and disinformation campaigns.

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South China Sea

Australia flexes firepower in Philippine drills near South China Sea

Canberra’s largest military exercises with Manila will involve more than 3,600 troops, supersonic fighter jets and anti-tank weapons.

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Defence personnel embark a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A departing RAAF base Amberley for the Philippines as part of exercise Alon 2025. Photo: Australia’s defence department
Environment

Opinion | AI-driven data centre boom could drain Asia’s rivers without due care

Data centres could solve some of Asia’s most pressing issues, yet their very success deepens their threat to waterways that sustain millions.

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China-Japan relations

On WWII anniversary, China’s PLA says Japan never abandoned military power dream

PLA Daily commentary criticises Tokyo’s plan to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, breaking a long-standing 1% ceiling.

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South China Sea

Beijing slams Philippine ships in first comment on South China Sea collision

Philippine vessels ‘severely jeopardised’ safety of Chinese ship crew after ‘illegally entering’ disputed waters, defence ministry says.

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Screen grab from Philippine coastguard footage appears to show the purported collision between Chinese coastguard and military vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Beijing seeks to deter as it expands presence in waters near Philippines, Taiwan

Chinese coastguard ships were seen ‘meandering’ off Batanes last week in the latest move aimed at deterrence, according to analysts.

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The Philippine Navy said two Chinese coastguard ships were seen in waters off Batanes on August 7. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
US immigration

‘Scapegoating of migrants’? Filipino detained in US over past infraction

Sonny Lasquite’s arrest over a 13-year conviction is ‘not justice but cruelty’, as activists question targeting of lawful permanent residents.

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South China Sea

How recent collision may prompt China to rethink how coastguard and navy operate

Incident that badly damaged a coastguard vessel has raised questions about whether the forces need better training on how to work together.

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South China Sea

Video | Chinese fighter jet flies close to Philippine coastguard plane in South China Sea

The Philippines coastguard claims that a fighter tailed one of its aircraft and performed manoeuvres at close proximity.

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US-China relations

PLA jet accused of ‘dangerous’ moves near South China Sea’s Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines coastguard claims that a fighter tailed one of its aircraft and performed manoeuvres at close proximity.

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The Philippines coastguard claims that a People’s Liberation Army fighter jet flew close to one of its aircraft on a patrol flight on Wednesday and behaved dangerously. Photo: Reuters
India

Opinion | Amid US-China tension, India and Philippines would benefit from closer ties

Having forged a strategic partnership on the Philippine president’s visit to India, New Delhi and Manila can focus on at least five critical areas.

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China shipbuilding

‘It takes time’: China’s shipping edge likely safe from South Korean investments

New ventures in Vietnam and the Philippines may ease domestic constraints but unlikely to challenge Chinese dominance, analysts say.

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Defence

Philippine military slams ‘fabricated’ video of stand-off with Malaysian navy

Manila’s navy says it has deployed a guided missile frigate for a long-planned joint military exercise in Penang.

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The Philippines’ BRP Antonio Luna, a guided missile frigate, sailing to Malaysia on Saturday last week. The vessel will take part in the 3rd Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise hosted by the Royal Malaysian Navy in Penang from Friday to August 22. Photo: Philippine Navy
South China Sea

Chinese military ‘warns off’ US destroyer from vicinity of Scarborough Shoal

PLA Southern Theatre Command says USS Higgins was warned to leave the area where two Chinese ships reportedly collided this week.

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South China Sea

Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea

Analysts predict China will move to restore its image at sea while ramping up exercises to improve navy-coastguard coordination.

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South China Sea

Philippines slams ‘reckless’ Chinese ships over collision at Scarborough Shoal

China criticised the Philippines for its ‘malign’ moves in Monday’s incident, saying it had ‘seriously harmed peace and stability at sea’.

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A Chinese navy vessel collided with one from its coast guard while chasing a Philippine patrol boat in the South China Sea on Monday. Manila has called on Beijing to observe rules on preventing collision at sea. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Will Philippines’ quest for binding South China Sea code succeed in 2026?

Analysts say Manila will find it difficult to get China to the negotiating table, or secure Asean’s backing for a binding code.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at an event in Quezon City on Monday. Marcos has emphasised the importance of a code of conduct in the South China Sea. Photo: EPA
South China Sea

Explainer | What do we know about the collision between 2 Chinese ships?

The accident happened during a confrontation with Philippine coastguard and fishing boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

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100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

A taste of the Philippines in Macau: bold flavours – to be shared communally

Macau’s Filipino community unites around much-loved dishes like adobo and halo-halo, served in eateries heady with the feel of home.

Supported by
Macau Government Tourism Office
China-Philippines relations

Video | Chinese ships collide in latest South China Sea flare-up with Philippines

The collision took place at contested Scarborough Shoal, or Huangyan Island, as Chinese authorities tried to expel Philippine vessels.

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Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

China accuses US of ‘lies as pretext for seeking control’ of Panama Canal

US envoy tells UN meeting that Beijing’s influence is a ‘risk to Panama and the US’ and a ‘potential threat to global trade and security’.

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China’s ambassador to the UN Fu Cong said China had always respected the neutrality of the Panama Canal. US envoy Dorothy Shea, however, spoke about concerns over China’s “outsized influence” over the canal region. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s S$1 million public flats, Philippine Senate vote: 7 Asia highlights

From S$1 million government flats in Singapore to Philippines’ impeachment case, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Donald Trump

As Trump threatens 100% semiconductor tariffs, how will Philippine firms react?

Semiconductors account for some 70 of the Philippines’ exports – but some observers are hopeful that ‘Taco’ Trump will not follow through.

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