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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.
The Chinese foreign ministry says China has a legitimate right to carry out activities, “including scientific research”, at Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Is that a Chinese antenna at Scarborough Shoal? The Philippines thinks so

Manila says aerial monitoring shows that Beijing has built a platform at the disputed reef.

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Asean

As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?

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Donald Trump

Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line

SCMP Highlights

India’s rise in critical minerals; ‘involution’ and Malaysia: 7 Asia highlights

From RedNote’s advice on ‘involution’ to a refugee’s journey to Malaysia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A pile of minerals extracted from a rare-earth mine. Photo: Shutterstock
Earthquakes

Rescuers search for survivors after Philippines quake kills 37

More than 400 people were injured and four remain missing after Monday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

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Taiwan

Taiwan hits back at Beijing’s ‘cognitive warfare’ after coastguard patrols

Island’s defence minister says the operation aimed at asserting mainland jurisdiction over waters Beijing does not control.

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Earthquakes

Mindanao quake a stark reminder of Metro Manila’s ‘Big One’ threat: experts

Limited evacuation routes in densely populated Metro Manila would make rapid, orderly evacuation a major challenge, disaster planners warn.

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People collect their belongings from a damaged house following an earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Video | Jollibee restaurant collapses after Philippine earthquake

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned of waves of up to three metres in the Philippines.

Earthquakes

At least 35 dead, 200 injured, after magnitude 7.8 quake hits Philippines

Schools and buildings collapsed as residents fled, with rescue teams continuing to search for missing students.

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Taiwan

Beijing sends largest patrol ship east of Taiwan after Japan-Philippine talks

Communist Party mouthpiece warns the two countries are becoming a ‘source of trouble’ and putting regional peace at risk.

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Haixun 09, Beijing's largest patrol ship, is part of the flotilla sent east of Taiwan. Photo: Handout
Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: honouring the kind souls making the world a better place

Discover how small acts of kindness and community spirit, from dragon boat triumphs to eco-tourism, are transforming lives and places.

Members of the Renegades, a Hong Kong-based female dragon-boat team, train at Stanley Main Beach. Photo: Alexander Mak
Diplomacy

As I see it | Trump is turning allies and partners into friends of China

Dealing with Beijing offers countries such as Canada and India more leverage with the US in addition to economic benefits.

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United Nations

Philippines’ UN defeat: a result of domestic ‘political circus’, close ties with US?

Kyrgyzstan won a seat on the UN Security Council due to perceptions of its neutrality and Central Asia’s under-representation, analysts say.

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Hong Kong society

With fewer public spaces for Hong Kong’s helpers, where can they go to unwind?

Helpers are being driven out of areas where they host activities, with NGOs saying more resting places are needed and urging government review.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
Taiwan

Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?

Analysts warn the Tokyo-Manila boundary negotiations will be seen in Beijing as an attempt to challenge its position on Taiwan.

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Beijing responded to the announcement of the maritime boundary talks by sending its coastguard into new waters east of Taiwan on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China-Philippines relations

Japan-Philippines maritime talks 2026

SCMP’s coverage of the ongoing maritime and defence talks between Japan and the Philippines. The high-level summits began in late May 2026 to China’s condemnation.

AirAsia

AirAsia denies Philippine flight grounding claims, slams ‘smear campaign’

The company said the narratives were aimed at limiting competition and consumer choice in the Philippines.

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Singapore

Suspected Filipino scammer reveals how Cambodian ring conned Singaporeans

De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, accused of taking part in a three-level impersonation scam, gives insights into the gang’s fraud tactics.

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A police officer inspects a scam compound in Cambodia’s Kampot province in February. Photo: Reuters
China-Japan relations

How Beijing could use its military and trade to hit back at Tokyo-Manila ties

Chinese experts warn the pair could pose a threat in a conflict over Taiwan, urge tough economic and military measures.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

The time to learn is before the fire reaches the house. Every war forces us to ask: if this logic came to our region, what would we do?

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United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

The Austrian delegation celebrate their result. Photo: dpa
Sara Duterte-Carpio

Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP’s impeachment trial

The Bantay Senado network aims to fill gaps in information, accountability and engagement, and ensure senators conduct a fair trial.

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Members of Bantay Senado, a Philippine citizen watchdog launched to monitor Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial. Photo: Dino Singson de Leon and Team Pinas
Taiwan

How Japan, Philippines are building a maritime security front against China

Tokyo-Manila defence cooperation is linking Pacific flashpoints, with broad implications for Beijing, analysts say.

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Taiwan

What does Beijing’s response to Tokyo-Manila boundary talks mean for Taiwan?

The Chinese coastguard’s rapid growth in recent years has included an evolution of its roles and relationships with the PLA.

China-Philippines relations

Beijing to Manila: don’t let ‘clowns’ sabotage ties with ‘political theatrics’

Beijing condemns remarks by Philippine defence chief, who says Manila is under ‘severe threat’ from China despite fertiliser and fuel offers.

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China’s foreign ministry has accused Gilberto Teodoro Jnr of having “no sense of gratitude” following comments by the Philippine defence chief about Beijing’s offers of aid. Photo: AFP
International Criminal Court

Philippine Senate power struggle veers towards crisis after Estrada arrest

The arrest has left rival blocs short of the numbers needed to act ahead of the vice-president’s impeachment trial.

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Arrested Philippines Senator Jinggoy Estrada (C) arrives for a scheduled court arraignment at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines’ Marcos gets worst rating of his presidency so far. Here’s why

A net satisfaction rating of minus 15 marks the worst showing of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s presidency so far.

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Taiwan

Why have Japan and the Philippines’ maritime boundary talks angered China?

A new flashpoint has opened up in the western Pacific Ocean with Beijing expected to strengthen its presence in the waters east of Taiwan.

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