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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.
Beijing’s Haixun 08 vessel – China’s largest and most advanced survey ship – conducted survey operations covering 1,025 nautical miles during the five-day operation. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

What’s behind Beijing’s seabed mapping east of Taiwan?

Expert says knowledge of the waters and seabed could allow ‘more effective submarine and anti-submarine operations’.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Hacking of Philippine Senate’s website spotlights widening political crisis

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China-Philippines relations

China sanctions Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro

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Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)

‘Hour of desperation’: gambling helpline calls surge in the Philippines

Counsellors say the profiles of gambling addicts range from housewives to young Filipinos and urge Manila to tighten related rules.

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Casino gambling is popular in the Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock
Earthquakes

Filipino mayor begs for helicopters to fly food to isolated quake survivors

The Glan mayor says 10 villages in his town of more than 100,000 people remain inaccessible, mostly due to landslides from Monday’s quake.

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South China Sea

Mystery platform? China says it was carrying out research at Scarborough Shoal

Announcement comes after Manila lodged diplomatic protest over ‘illegal presence’ of a floating structure at the disputed atoll.

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Romeo Brawner Jnr

Philippine military chief vows to stay neutral as Marcos-Duterte feud deepens

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr says the military will stay out of politics despite some unease within the ranks.

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Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

New York leads, but Asia-Pacific’s financial hubs are on the rise

The centre of gravity is shifting east in the financial services world, but New York remains the global benchmark, says Colliers report.

Taiwan

Beijing detects suspected Japanese spy planes near Taiwan

Two crewed electronic reconnaissance aircraft sent to ‘snoop around’ and observe mainland Chinese vessels, leading PLA analyst says.

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South Korea

Filipino ex-cop in South Korean’s murder caught after 2 years on the run

Rafael Dumlao had been in hiding since the Philippine Supreme Court upheld a lower court conviction for Jee Ick-joo’s murder.

Rafael Dumlao is seen in his booking photos. Photo: Department of the Interior and Local Government
Singapore

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Russia, first since Ukraine war sanctions

Ties between Singapore and Russia nosedived after the city state imposed sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong listens to the keynote speech at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue security summit in Singapore last month. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Cheng Li-wun talks Trump, Taiwan and a future leadership run

KMT chief calls Trump’s anti-independence remarks a ‘positive step’, says her party’s return to power is the only path to peace.

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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’?

Southeast Asia needs energy. Russia needs friends. Next week’s summit in Kazan could offer opportunities for both sides.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a virtual Asean meeting via videoconference in 2021. Photo: Sputnik/ Kremlin/AP
Donald Trump

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

Washington’s proposed tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent could push regional countries to accelerate economic integration.

Asean leaders gather at the opening ceremony of bloc’s summit in Cebu last month. Seven Asean members are in Washington’s list of 60 economies targeted for “forced labour” tariffs. Photo: AP
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.

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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A Taiwan coastguard boat carries out patrols. Taiwan’s defence ministry and coastguard will coordinate to safeguard its maritime security, the island’s defence minister has said. Photo: AFP
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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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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A man walks near a collapsed building after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Mindanao Island, the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: GenSan Dev/Reuters
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.

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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Philippine police crowd control personnel block pro-Vice-President Sara Duterte protesters outside the Senate of the Philippines, in Manila last month. Photo: AP
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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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.

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