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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.
A man carrying plastic bags of food wades through floodwater amid southwest monsoon rains in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, Philippines, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Video | At least 12 dead in Philippine floods and landslides

More than 500,000 people are affected across 33 provinces as monsoon rains hit Luzon.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippine VP Sara faces criminal charge over Marcos death threat

SCMP Highlights

Malaysia’s Liow released; Lee Kuan Yew’s pen up for auction: 7 Asia highlights

Asean

US swaps ideology for ‘flexible realism’ and deterrence in Southeast Asia

Pentagon’s Colby urges allies to invest more in defence as Washington prioritises pragmatic Indo-Pacific partnerships over moral values.

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Troops from New Zealand, Philippines, the US and Australia pose with their national flags after taking part in live-fire exercises in the Philippines. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why did US defence official Colby avoid mentioning China in Manila speech?

Some analysts attribute the restraint to a desire to avoid antagonising Beijing ahead of next month’s expected Xi-Trump summit.

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South China Sea

Powerful anti-drone laser spotted on PLA amphibious ship in South China Sea

Analysts say deploying the LY-1-equipped vessel during Scarborough Shoal drill was meant to send a message to Manila and Washington.

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South China Sea

As US marks 75 years of defence pact with Philippines, can it stay the course?

Despite increased drills between the two allies, there are concerns that Washington’s aversion to conflict could weaken its commitment.

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Philippine marines conduct a military operation as part of the Rim of the Pacific exercises held at Bellows Air Force Station in Waimanalo, Hawaii, in June. Photo: Reuters
United States

US ‘digging in’ to Asia but seeks partners ‘not dependency’: Pentagon

Senior official Elbridge Colby tells Manila audience the US is committed to the Indo-Pacific but expects allies to invest in defence.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines floods, landslides, kill at least 12, 8 missing

Over 500,000 people are affected across 33 provinces as monsoon rains batter the main island, Luzon, including the nation’s capital, Manila.

Mainland China

Video | Typhoon Dolphin batters China’s eastern provinces

China’s most powerful typhoon of the year has forced the evacuation of over 1 million people and led to thousands of flight cancellations.

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American cinema

Review | Forgotten Island: DreamWorks’ trippy animated dive into Filipino folklore

Forgotten Island blends Filipino folklore with a distinct 1980s feel as two childhood friends navigate a surreal world of fading memories.

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A still from Forgotten Island (category TBC), directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. H.E.R., Liza Soberano and Dave Franco voice characters.
Japan

Opinion | Japan’s defence white paper is the opening move in a longer game

Japan’s latest defence white paper confirms Chinese strategists’ fears that post-war pacifist guard rails are being dismantled under the guise of ‘self-defence’.

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Myanmar

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar will continue to work with Asean’s special envoy but does not see the need to continue when Singapore takes over on January 1.

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Hong Kong transport

Manila-bound flight returns to Hong Kong after suspected cargo door issue

Police say flight CEB143 landed safely at airport, with no injuries reported.

The Manila-bound Cebu Pacific flight was originally scheduled to depart at 2pm on Saturday and arrive at 4.25pm. File photo: Getty Images
Religion

Video | Inside Asia’s only dedicated exorcism centre

Manila facility trains priests and clergy as cases of alleged possession continue to rise.

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Cinema

Silent film: Philippines’ ‘Spider-Man’ screening reveals deaf inclusion gap

While several laws have been passed to help the deaf community, advocates say they remain limited in scope and implementation.

China exports

Beyond compliance: zero-carbon estates give China’s battery makers a global edge

With the EU’s binding carbon cap taking effect as early as 2028, the route to compliance for Chinese firms could offer a long-term advantage.

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South China Sea

Philippines’ South China Sea education push blurs ‘teaching the truth’ lines

The push by several Philippine lawmakers is to counter what they say are efforts to support pro-Beijing positions over the maritime row.

A Chinese coastguard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel in South China Sea, as seen in this screengrab of a video released on July 23. Photo: Jay Tarriela/X/Handout/Reuters
China-Philippines relations

Despite South China Sea clashes, Chinese and Philippine police boost cooperation

Philippine National Police and their Fujian province counterparts agree to share intelligence to tackle cross-border crime.

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SCMP Highlights

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

From Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao’s burger brand to Filipino star Eala’s maiden WTA win, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Beyond call centres? Philippines reopens Manila for outsourcing edge

Analysts say the move could help the Philippines compete for higher-value offshore functions and boost countryside development.

Filipino call centre agents attend to US clients at a call centre facility in Quezon city in 2007. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

China confirms 2 deaths in Scarborough Shoal crash during Philippine ship chase

Beijing honours two coastguard personnel who died in a vessel collision in the South China Sea last year.

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One of the China Coast Guard vessels damaged in the crash near Scarborough Shoal last year, according to Philippine authorities. Photo: Handout
Asean

Why the UK is doubling down on Asean ties amid European reset

Observers say the move to engage Asean is less a policy reset than continuity in Britain’s post-Brexit engagement with the bloc.

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China-Philippines relations

Philippine sailor on South China Sea outpost under investigation for drug use

The sailor had served in a key position aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, then was involved in resupply runs to the outpost.

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US-China relations

China competition looms large in 2027 US defence bill

Taiwan, AI and supply chains headline House and Senate proposals as lawmakers broaden efforts to counter Beijing on multiple fronts.

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The South China Sea remains a central focus of US military planning as Washington expands efforts to counter China. Photo: US Navy
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ship crews stranded in Strait of Hormuz ‘safe and offered counselling’

Industry representative says the stranded crew face little immediate safety risk, though months at sea have affected them mentally and physically.

As of July, about 6,000 seafarers were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong weather

Low chance of typhoon signal in Hong Kong but at least 22 flights to Japan axed

Tropical Cyclone Kujira set to weaken over weekend under countervailing influence of Dolphin, which has been downgraded to a severe typhoon.

Energy

Can France help the Philippines overcome its nuclear power baggage?

Paris is ready to share its nuclear energy expertise with Manila as part of efforts to deepen defence cooperation, outgoing envoy says.

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