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The Philippines
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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.
A placard is displayed in front of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, the Philippines, during a Catholic organised anti-abortion rally in 2011. Photo: Getty Images
Women and gender

‘Providing a solution’? Why some Filipinos risk their lives amid abortion ban

Filipinos wanting to end unwanted pregnancies have resorted to black-market alternatives that can result in life-threatening consequences.

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India

How a potential UAE deal could reshape India’s arms export ambitions

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong is key to spurring Asean-Greater Bay Area cooperation

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippine religious group challenges Marcos, seeks to shield senator over probe

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, is under investigation over US$1.2 million ‘donations’ to fund his candidacy.

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Members of religious group Iglesia ni Cristo stage a protest at the People’s Monument in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

New Asean Chamber of Commerce launched in Hong Kong will ‘fulfil long-felt need’

New business group launched at the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026.

Greater Bay Area

‘Digital bridge’ Philippines woos Greater Bay Area enterprises

Manila’s trade chief points to soaring trade data and special economic zones in her pitch to Chinese investors at SCMP’s GBA-Asean Summit.

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SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s founder praised in Europe; Pakistan’s submarine: 7 Asia highlights

From Pakistan rattling India with a new submarine to Bangkok’s ‘Hulk’ governor, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A woman sprays water to cool down the alley by her home in Leeds, northern England, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Starbucks

‘Purple gold rush’: Philippine ube farming looks to cash in on craze

Philippine ube exports reached over US$3 million in 2025, more than double the US$1.4 million figure recorded in 2024.

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South China Sea

PLA vessels shadow US-Philippine drills in South China Sea near disputed shoal

Beijing says joint patrols in waters near Scarborough Shoal undermined regional stability and vows to safeguard ‘territorial sovereignty’.

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Middle East

Philippines becomes world’s top solar spender amid Middle East energy crisis

The rooftop solar rush has resulted in US$407 ‌million in panel imports from March to May, a 145 per cent increase from a year earlier.

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Workers install solar panels onto the roof of a home in Manila on April 30. Photo: AP
Tourism

Why would Filipinos holiday at home if abroad is cheaper?

Manila wants Filipinos to explore their own backyard. But when Batanes costs twice as much as Taipei, it’s a tough sell.

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A Cebu Pacific passenger plane takes off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Photo: AFP
Rodrigo Duterte

No future at home? Inside the endless Filipino exodus

The Philippines exported 2.74 million workers last year. For many, leaving is still the most reliable path to a better life.

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Accidents and personal safety

Filipino teenager, 17, drowns after falling from Peng Chau bridge in Hong Kong

Source says teenager was standing on railings of bridge and attempting to walk before losing his balance.

Asean

Asian Angle | Asean’s side deals in Myanmar risk missing where the power truly lies

Trading collective leverage for isolated bargains blinds the bloc to changing realities on the ground.

Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Hau Khan Sum (left) with other Southeast Asian leaders at the Asean summit in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 8. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Crime

‘We love guns’: school shooting exposes reality of Philippine crisis

While the country has gun-control laws, most Filipinos simply ignore them and arm themselves without much difficulty, experts say.

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A security guard guides students as they enter an elementary school, a day after a school shooting in the city of Tacloban southeast ​of Manila, in Quezon City, Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Defence

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

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SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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The State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia, Michael DeSombre, said on Thursday that the long-standing US policy known as the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan is still operating. Photo: AFP
China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

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South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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Taiwan

Beijing slams US, European concerns over coastguard patrols near Taiwan

Mainland Chinese authorities reject criticism, saying deployments are necessary response to maritime border talks between Manila and Tokyo.

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A mainland Chinese vessel is seen approaching the waters near Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea on June 11. Photo: Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council via AP
China's military weapons

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

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China’s DF-15B short-range ballistic missiles have been in service since 1999. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

Beijing has used law enforcement patrols and scientific study to boost its control over the contested South China Sea area.

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South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

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Crime

Philippines foils second planned high school attack in Leyte in days

Authorities got a tip-off on an ‘impending mass shooting’ in the province, two days after a shooting incident that killed three students.

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Philippine police officers enter the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province, Philippines, on Monday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

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AirAsia planes stand on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 on January 21. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

How Indonesia’s coal policies left its own citizens in the dark

Hours-long blackouts since last week have disrupted the lives and businesses of millions of subscribers of state-owned utility firm PLN in Java.

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South China Sea

Chinese-Filipino groups downplay Sinophobia over earthquake aid in Philippines

The community is drawing attention partly due to the South China Sea row and spying cases involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

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