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.
Former senator Francis Tolentino said the ban was a “badge of honour”. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over travel ban on former senator

Manila said the ban on ex-senate majority leader Francis Tolentino was ‘inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect’ between countries.

South China Sea

F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific

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SCMP Highlights

Australia gets ‘unsolicited advice’; Indonesian mine concern: 7 Asia highlights

Asean

Will Myanmar block East Timor’s Asean entry? The junta draws a red line

Myanmar’s military regime is attempting to block East Timor’s accession over its engagement with the ousted National Unity Government.

East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao gestures as he arrives to attend a gala dinner during an Asean summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Ship attacked in Red Sea after Houthis claim earlier bulk carrier sinking

Liberian-flagged cargo ship hit Monday, marking the second assault on a vessel in about 24 hours.

US-China relations

Opinion | To quieten drumbeats of war in US and China, cool heads must prevail

Sabre-rattling might rally a domestic political base, but true statesmanship lies not in inviting disaster but in mastering its prevention.

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Asean

Eating plastic: the hidden cost of convenience in Southeast Asia

If plastic pollution continues to worsen in the region, its people could face a wide range of health issues, medical experts warn.

Rising microplastic waste is fast becoming a global health hazard. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime

Philippine police detain 15 of its own officers in missing cock fighters case

The officers are under investigation for the suspected killings of 34 cock fighters, whose bodies were dumped in a lake after cheating accusations.

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Hong Kong tourism

Football fever grips Hong Kong as Cristiano Ronaldo museum officially opens

Excited fans queue hours before doors open to visit exhibits featuring Ballon d’Or, Golden Boot awards and Fifa Club World Cup Golden Ball.

Japan

Japan to bolster Philippine defence with used warships amid China tensions

The export plan involves six Abukuma-class vessels in service by Tokyo’s navy for more than 30 years.

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A Japanese navy destroyer docks at the Port of Manila, Philippines, on June 21. Photo: EPA-EFE
European Union

Political dynasties threaten Philippines’ democracy, EU observers warn

Political power remains concentrated within a small circle of elite families, the team monitoring the Philippines midterm polls say.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) and his family lead Independence Day flag-raising and wreath-laying rites on June 12. The president is named after his late dictator father. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong tourism

Why Hong Kong is a fledgling hub for pre-owned Hermes bags and other luxury goods

Industry players say city is popular among Indian and Filipino merchandisers due to its reputation for authentic goods, tax-free status.

South Korea

South Korean YouTuber arrested in the Philippines for child abuse

The man in his fifties is believed to have fathered a child with a 14-year-old girl.

South China Sea

Philippines-China sea dispute takes on legal edge with cyber libel suit

Top Philippine coastguard official takes action against pro-Beijing influencer for claiming that he is a paid US asset.

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Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for the South China Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela in August 2024. Tarriela has dismissed “absurd” claims he is a paid US asset. Photo: AFP
Japan

Philippines urges Japan to help in lake search for ‘executed’ cock fighters

With dozens of participants allegedly murdered by rogue police and dumped in a massive lake, Manila has asked Tokyo for technical help in ‘scientific approach’.

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Cockfighting is a popular pastime in the Philippines but controversy increasingly surrounds the sector amid allegations of the murder of dozens of people by police officers. Photo: Getty Images
Crime

Chinese model lured to Myanmar with scam job rescued after sister raises alarm

25-year-old missing since June 9 was rescued on Friday, prompting new warning from Chinese embassy in Thailand about high-paying job offers.

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South China Sea

USS George Washington’s Manila visit signals US commitment amid ‘crowded’ seas

The USS George Washington’s Manila port call comes just days after China deployed two of its carriers to the Western Pacific for military drills.

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Catholic Church

‘A national crisis’: why Philippines is still struggling to legalise divorce

Lawmakers have been trying to pass a divorce law since 2005, but continue to face resistance in the Catholic-majority country.

Pro-divorce protesters take part in a demonstration in front of the Senate Building in Pasay, Metro Manila. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

China nears Airbus deal, famous Hong Kong restaurant chain closes: 7 highlights

From Beijing’s grand military parade to Hong Kong train driver’s antics going viral, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines’ Duterte ends womanising era, leaving ‘13 to 27’ lovers behind

His son, Paolo Duterte, has told his father’s ‘girlfriends’ to ‘look for somebody else’ after visiting the former president at The Hague.

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Food and Drinks

Introducing AI-designed beers – but are they any good?

Breweries are tapping artificial intelligence to make beer taste better. But can the likes of ChatGPT create a pint worth drinking?

Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery’s Hand Brewed by Robots beer. Photo: St Austell Brewery
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong could issue T1 warning on Friday, as potential typhoon develops

Observatory says it will decide on warning signal as potential cyclone looks set to come within 800km of city in coming days.

A potential tropical cyclone near Luzon may bring inclement weather, with hot conditions to be replaced by showers and thunderstorms, the local forecaster has said. Photo: Jelly Tse
South China Sea

Philippines to view maritime rows with China as ‘one theatre’, partner Japan

Strategy will treat the East and South China seas as a unified theatre of operations as regional allies align against Beijing’s growing influence.

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China-Philippines relations

China’s ban on ex-senator won’t halt Manila’s South China Sea stance: experts

Beijing’s travel ban on Francis Tolentino, imposed after his term, is seen as symbolic and won’t deter Filipino lawmakers from asserting sovereignty in the South China Sea.

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Hong Kong weather

Potential cyclone to set temperatures soaring in Hong Kong in coming days

Observatory says tropical cyclone near Luzon may bring inclement weather, with hot conditions to be replaced by showers and thunderstorms.

Temperatures could be set to soar in the coming days, reaching a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius. Photo: Eugene Lee
South China Sea

Blast from the past: US ammo hub for Philippines sparks China retaliation fears

While Manila perceives economic benefits, critics fear Subic Bay facility would make the Philippines a target in any US-China confrontation.

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US troops disembark from a ship at the former American naval base in Subic Bay ahead of joint military exercises in 2002. Photo: AFP
Alibaba

Alibaba Cloud expands AI footprint with data centres in Malaysia, Philippines

Southeast Asia is a key market for China’s Big Tech firms and a battleground for US-China AI rivalry.

SCMP Highlights

China’s Xi calls for oversight, Trump’s Golden Dome: SCMP daily highlights

From China offering tax refunds to French cognac makers to Beijing’s upcoming military parade, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

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