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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.
JS Asagiri, lead ship of Japan’s Asagiri-class destroyers, heads a fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan, in 1997. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan adds Indonesia to its ‘network of navies’ after Australia, Philippines

By exporting warships, analysts say Tokyo is sidestepping military pacts to bind partners through shared hardware.

China-Asean relations

Dear You – the Chinese migration film igniting a propaganda debate in Southeast Asia

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Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines’ Duterte to undergo another health check to decide fitness for trial

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Asean

Asean at 60: peace, prosperity and polite paralysis

Non-interference bought decades of stability, but now breeds inaction. Is Asean due an overhaul?

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Illustration: Huy Truong
South China Sea

Opinion | Philippines’ belligerence towards China out of step with Asean trend

Manila’s security-first approach and alignment with extra-regional powers is at odds with the pragmatic direction of China-Asean relations.

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South China Sea

China’s ban on Philippine defence chief, family seen as warning shot to Manila

Analysts say Beijing may be trying to ‘kill the chicken to warn the monkeys’, as Manila faces calls for a tit-for-tat response.

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Diplomacy

Why US and China are watching Philippines’ Marcos at Russia-Asean talks

The visit comes amid expanded military ties with the US but is unlikely to signal a shift in Philippine foreign policy, analysts say.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr will head to Kazan from June 17 to 18 for the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Will Marcos’ shipbuilding push deliver lasting capacity for Philippines?

The expansion of the West Cebu Industrial Park aims to strengthen the Philippines’ defence and economy, and cement dominance in shipbuilding.

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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

In earlier messages seen on the hacked website, which has been restored, a group demanded accountability and slammed ‘corrupt networks’.

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Armed Senate security personnel at the entrance of the Senate building in Manila on May 13 after gunshots were heard inside the Senate building. Photo: AFP
China-Philippines relations

China sanctions Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro

Chinese foreign ministry says Teodoro is banned from entering China because of his ‘erroneous remarks’ on the country.

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Beijing accuses Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of making “erroneous remarks” about China. Photo: AFP
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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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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A Chinese research institute says it deployed a floating platform at Scarborough Shoal for environmental monitoring and sampling. Photo: Handout via Reuters
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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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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The Chinese foreign ministry says China has a legitimate right to carry out activities, “including scientific research”, at Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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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A damaged building is seen in General Santos, the Philippines, after Monday’s earthquake. Photo: AP
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.

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