Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines
TOPIC
 / location

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 Japan Air Self-Defence Force detected a Chinese Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft over the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. Photo: JASDF
US-China relations

China and US expand military drone flights near Japan and the South China Sea

Tokyo has recently detected uptick in Chinese operations in waters enabling Beijing’s naval forces to transit beyond the first island chain.

videocam
Crime

Why the Philippines remains a hotspot for transnational drug syndicates

videocam
4
South China Sea

Beijing drills water cannons and drones near disputed South China Sea shoals

videocam
Malaysia

Killer fandoms: the toxic online subcultures fuelling Asia’s school attacks

Security experts urge vigilance as teenagers across Southeast Asia turn to radical online networks that celebrate notorious mass murderers.

Evidence, including a toy firearm, shown during a Jakarta police news conference following an explosion at a school mosque in November 2025. Counterterrorism investigators found the teenage attacker was influenced by the online “True Crime Community”. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ageing fighters get some relief as South Korean jets arrive

The ordered planes mark the Malaysian air force’s first fleet renewal in 19 years since the delivery of Russian Sukhois in 2007.

Science

China tests powerful AI that could one day be used on submarines

Breakthrough in China’s race with the US over exploration of applying AI to military operations amid deep-sea trials in Philippine Basin.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China-Philippines relations

China accuses Philippines of setting up ‘obstacles’ to Asean defence meeting

The row, in which Beijing accused Manila of violating diplomatic protocols, comes amid ongoing tensions over the South China Sea.

videocam
6
China was represented at the Asean event by its defence attache Yang Le. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan looks to Asean as ‘normative anchor’ amid great-power rivalry

Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi has proposed updating cooperation between Japan, Asean and external partners in emerging security areas.

5
US-China relations

Why Hegseth’s new defence proposal faces an uphill battle with Asean

The Pentagon wants tangible returns, while the bloc has long refused to choose sides.

15
Fame and celebrity

Amid child porn claims rocking Meghan Markle’s family, who is her niece Noelle Rasmussen?

The daughter of the Duchess of Sussex’s half-sister Samantha Markle said the explosive allegations against her grandfather were ‘not a surprise’.

The Duchess of Sussex’s family has once again made headlines after her estranged father, Thomas Markle Snr, reportedly came under investigation for the alleged possession of indecent images of children. Photos: AP Photo; Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

Hegseth pledges stronger military framework with Philippines, but lacks details

Defence secretary reaffirms US support without specifying how much more funding is involved and what procedures or timeline it will pay for.

videocam
12
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro Jnr during the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Asean

Hegseth pitches US-Asean defence framework but will it be a hard sell?

Analysts say Asean members are likely to prefer bilateral pacts that preserve their flexibility as they navigate ties with the US and China.

videocam
19
Saudi Arabia

Philippines holds oil storage talks with Saudi Arabia, Russia, US

The move is aimed at hedging against surges in fuel prices due to the Iran war and the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon.

China-Philippines relations

Opinion | Manila speaks with 2 voices on China

Conflicting statements from the Philippines’ diplomatic and security arms add uncertainty to an already fraught relationship with Beijing.

videocam
5
Illustration: Mario Cameira
US-China relations

5 things to watch out for in 2027 US defence bill aimed at countering China

Involving more than US$1 trillion in proposed defence spending, competition with Beijing looms large across its varied legislative span.

videocam
14
The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier transits the South China Sea. A strategy for responding to crises in the South China Sea will be high on the agenda of the 2027 US defence bill. Photo: EPA-EFE/US NAVY
China’s military

Dong Jun to miss Asean defence talks as Beijing’s fifth plenum convenes

Beijing sends Manila-based attache to Cebu with defence chief expected to attend key Communist Party meeting.

videocam
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines’ bounty on ‘Bato’ dela Rosa exposes Marcos’ dilemma in Duterte feud

The massive reward for the ex-police chief highlights deepening political fallout as the ICC manhunt exposes executive vulnerabilities.

7
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Get to Know

All about the late Roslyn Loveless, ex-wife of Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Snr

Before her death in 2024, the mother of Samantha and Thomas Jnr revealed that her ex-husband had abandoned his family and lived a ‘single life’.

Roslyn Loveless, who was previously married to Thomas Markle Snr, passed away in 2024. Photos: @vbspurs/X; @guayaquilcaliente
Aviation accidents

Philippine Air Force faces hard questions after deadly crashes

Budget constraints mean the air force has had to repeatedly use aircraft for missions beyond their intended roles, analysts say.

5
Meghan Markle

‘Disgusting monster’: Meghan Markle’s dad slammed by son amid Philippine probe

Investigators expect to complete digital forensics on alleged child abuse material linked to Thomas Markle Snr by the end of the week.

SCMP Highlights

Why paper straws are worse than plastic; haze in Indonesia: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian teen held after live-streaming axe attack to haze in Indonesia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A firefighter battles a fast-moving brush fire amid heavy smoke in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Photo: AFP
Luxury Hotels

Review | Inside Lagen Island Resort, El Nido’s tranquil Michelin-key escape

A short speedboat ride from mainland Palawan, this two-Michelin-key retreat pairs dramatic karst scenery with authentic Filipino dining and wellness.

Aerial view of Lagen Island Resort in El Nido. Photo: Handout
Asean

Southeast Asia’s housing paradox: too many homes, too few buyers

Analysts point to speculative investment, financing hurdles and poor locations as factors leaving properties empty.

Climate change

Climate damage to Philippine ports could cost US$70b a year by 2100

Rising seas and fiercer typhoons threaten to paralyse trade lines, driving up food costs and devastating coastal communities.

videocam
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Pentagon chief Hegseth to visit Philippines to meet US allies at Asean events

SCMP has previously reported that Quad and Squad meetings were being planned on the sidelines of Asean events.

videocam
10
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will “reaffirm America’s commitment to peace through strength”, according to the Pentagon. Photo: dpa
Get to Know

Meet Meghan Markle’s estranged half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr

As the Duchess of Sussex’s father faces an investigation over alleged child sexual abuse material in the Philippines, her estranged half-brother has made headlines by contacting authorities and issuing a public apology.

(Left) Meghan Markle with her father Thomas Markle Snr, before their high-profile estrangement; (right) Thomas Markle Jnr. Photos: @timelessmagg; @therealthomasmarklejr/Instagram
China society

Opinion | China may well be the next big competitor for Asian migrant labour

The country that once transformed global labour markets by exporting workers could reshape Asian migration by beginning to import them.

videocam
Law

Philippines plans ‘appropriate legal action’ against Thomas Markle

Philippine police are investigating a laptop found alongside images of child abuse at the former home of Meghan Markle’s estranged father.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement