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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.
Damage caused to the tanker Stena Immaculate following a collision with the Solong container ship in 2025. Solong Captain Vladimir Motin has been jailed for six years over the incident that killed a crew member. Photo: Humberside Police / Handout via Reuters
Crime

Russian captain jailed for 6 years for death of crew member in tanker crash

Vladimir Motin was an ‘accident waiting to happen’, the judge said at the sentencing in London for the 2025 manslaughter of a crew member.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Filipino activists decry loss of public trust over failed bid to impeach Marcos

Hong Kong weather

Temperatures to drop to 13 degrees on Sunday as cold front sweeps Hong Kong

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s first ‘Tesla killer’, flying car makers eye lift-off date: 7 EV reads

From analysis on Beijing-Ottawa tariff deal to foreign carmakers set to stage China comeback, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

A Xiaomi SU7 Max is displayed at the entrance of the company’s EV factory in Beijing. Photo: AFP
Social media

Calls grow for tougher rules to track foreign-paid ‘trolls’ in Philippines

Retired justice says updating the Foreign Agents Act will help deter individuals from espousing pro-Beijing content.

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SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong-Singapore contrasts, Philippines’ EV race lag: 7 Asia highlights

From a Malaysian minister linking stress and gay people to US-Iran tensions, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Twin impeachments a ‘stress test’ for Philippine institutional strength

The exercise may risk economic damage, but could also show how a political crisis could be tackled using constitutional means, analysts say.

A protester holds a sign calling for the impeachment of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Malaysia rushes to plug leaks as Sabah’s subsidised fuel flows to Philippines

The Malaysian state’s proximity to southern islands in the Philippines has made enforcement against fuel smugglers difficult.

Asean

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

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China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers

From violent incidents to US missiles in Luzon, a ‘perilous new normal’ and vanishing red lines threaten to derail the Code of Conduct.

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A China Coast Guard vessel (right) fires its water cannon at the Philippines’ BRP Datu Pagbuaya near Philippine-occupied Thitu island, locally called Pagasa island, in the disputed the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP
South China Sea

China patrols around Scarborough Shoal, days after US-Philippine drills

‘Combat readiness patrols’ meant to counter ‘infringement and provocative actions’, PLA Southern Theatre Command says.

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H-6K bombers armed with anti-ship missiles took part in the patrols, according to Chinese state media. Photo: CCTV
United States

US may have averted major shutdown by splitting bill, but partial closure is on

House approval still needed, with a funding lapse expected before lawmakers move to pass the spending package early next week.

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South China Sea

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

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South China Sea

China’s Scarborough Shoal presence ‘unprecedented’ in 2025: report

Beijing substantially increased patrols as well as broadened coverage near contested sites in prized waters, researchers say.

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A China Coast Guard ship patrols the waters near Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing claims and calls Huangyan, in the South China Sea on November 14, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Trump’s actions signal an openness to G2, give China leverage with US allies and open the door for other powers to use coercive force.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Asean

How far can Asean engage Myanmar without legitimising military rule?

The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.

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Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

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International Criminal Court

Opinion | Marcos health problems call to mind past Philippine leaders’ woes

Marcos has admitted he suffers from diverticulitis, as he battles problems including impeachment complaints and public anger over corruption.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the Apec summit in South Korea last year. Marcos last appeared on January 22 in a video clip saying he was suffering from diverticulitis. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Filipino’s death fuels concern over coercive recruitment in Ukraine war

Observers say the case of John Patrick reflects human exploitation and the structural pressure on Russia’s manpower resources.

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Defence

New gas find prompts Philippines to step up defence of energy frontier

The move to boost security around Malampaya East-1 is seen as a test case for protecting future offshore energy projects in contested waters.

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Cambodia

Fear of Thai border action steers Cambodia towards UN law of sea after 43 years

Cambodia’s smaller and weaker navy will find safety in numbers and rule of law now that it has ratified Unclos, according to analysts.

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A soldier stands guard next to Prasat Ta Khwai on January 20. The temple was the site of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in December last year. Photo: Reuters
Rodrigo Duterte

Duterte vs ICC: judges reject ‘unfit’ plea, set date for drug war case

The 80-year-old faces a February hearing on crimes against humanity after the court rejected defence arguments that he was unfit to take part.

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Rodrigo Duterte addresses troops during the Armed Forces’ 82nd anniversary in Quezon City in December 2017. Photo: AP
Infrastructure

Critics of Marcos step up impeachment calls, cite ‘smoking gun’ letter

An impeachment complaint against Marcos refers to the channelling of health insurance funds to flood control projects.

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Marine safety

At least 18 dead after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

More than 350 were on board the inter-island ferry from Zamboanga to Jolo island when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank.

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Education

‘Bitter fruits’: why the Philippines faces a 10-year climb to fix its schools

Its ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget might not be enough to close long-standing gaps, experts say.

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Children walk to school in Bulacan province, north of Manila, in 2025. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Filipino crew head home after China Coast Guard rescue near Scarborough Shoal

Chinese vessels transfer 15 survivors and the remains of two others to Philippine ships on Sunday afternoon.

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Surviving crew members of the capsized Devon Bay cargo ship reunite after their rescue by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal on Friday. Photo: Handout
Natural disasters

Did shelved anti-disaster scheme lead to Philippines’ flood control woes?

The NOAH project, which ran daily from 2012 to 2016, helped the Philippines avoid ‘mass casualties in one place affected by a hazard’.

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Music

Welcome to the black parade: how Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is reviving 2000s music

From My Chemical Romance to Blue, early-2000s acts are selling out venues across the region as younger fans seek raw, emotional music.

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