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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.
The logo of the US company Discord shown on a smartphone and a screen. Philippine officials said the app had servers associated with nihilistic violent extremism and grooming. Photo: AFP
Discord

Philippines’ short-lived Discord ban exposes cracks in online safety strategy

The abrupt ban following recent school shootings has drawn backlash over ‘performative governance’ and free speech risks.

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Indonesia

‘So happy’: Philippines pardons death row inmate repatriated from Indonesia

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Sara Duterte-Carpio

Does Philippine rule change clear way to convict vice-president?

Malaysia

‘Open, close, reopen’: return of choking haze traps Malaysian schools in limbo

All 108 schools in Serian close again as API readings break 200, highlighting the limits of cloud seeding while monsoon winds persist.

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The Kuala Lumpur Tower is obscured by toxic haze from Indonesian wildfires on Monday. Photo: AFP
Motorists travel along a road as the prime minister’s office is partially obscured by haze in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in September. Photo: AP
Firefighters arrive to battle peatland and forest fires in Banjar, South Kalimantan, Indonesia on Monday. Photo: AFP
A helicopter drops water on forest fires in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia on Monday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump built a US$5 million White House helipad. Don’t expect Xi Jinping to use it

US president might aim to impress during Xi’s state visit, but Chinese protocol discourages its leaders from using helicopters.

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China-Philippines relations

Why younger Filipinos are warming to China despite maritime tensions

A Pew survey shows 47 per cent of Filipinos aged 18 to 34 view China favourably, with some respondents also expressing confidence in its leadership.

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South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Marcos’ ‘existential battle’ with Sara Duterte intensifies in Philippines

The ⁠Senate lowers the vote threshold for conviction in Duterte’s impeachment trial as the president piles more pressure on his deputy.

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US-China tech war

Philippines races to realise Pax Silica dreams as political changes loom

Philippines’ Marcos is due to leave office in 2028 while Trump faces US midterm elections next year that could change control of Congress.

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SCMP Highlights

South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Duterte trial looms: 7 Asia highlights

From Singaporean minister’s Mandarin diplomacy to Indonesia’s Whoosh debt burden, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

A person dangles from a drone in this still from footage obtained by Korean broadcaster JTBC allegedly showing a practice run for Park Wang-yeol’s escape. Photo: YouTube/JTBC_News
Style Edit

Style Edit: Fashion Asia Hong Kong 2026 explores the future of design

This year’s programme debuted the 10 Asian Designers to Watch runway, featuring labels from Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines.

SCMP Hearst managing director and publisher Sophia Yu onstage with Longchamp Asia-Pacific general manager Samy Redjeb. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Xi-Trump summit lies in what happens afterwards

The real value of the Washington meeting between the presidents of the US and China is whether its understandings survive the next bilateral dispute.

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Canada

Southeast Asia supports multilateralism, wary of US or China leadership: survey

A recent Rockefeller Foundation survey shows strong regional belief in global cooperation and a reluctance to accept superpower dominance.

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Crime

Easy access to family guns fuels Philippines’ school shootings

Three fatal attacks since June have been traced back to state-linked weapons, exposing fatal flaws in official gun control.

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Workers arrange handguns displayed for sale at a defence and sporting arms expo in Manila, the Philippines, in 2024. Photo: AFP
United States

‘Listen to us’: Philippines tribe vows to stand ground against US-led Pax Silica

The Aetas have been offered just 50 US cents per square metre of land to make way for the sprawling tech hub. All have refused.

Filipino chieftain Petronila Munoz points at the proposed land where the Pax Silica Hub might be built in Capas, Tarlac province, on September 2. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Upgraded but underperforming: Philippines’ growth lags behind

High living costs and delayed public works drag growth projections down far behind regional front runners.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong secures expanded equal treatment and investment guarantees across Asean

Hong Kong authorities say signing of the protocol will bring legal certainty, enhance the investment environment and boost investment flows.

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Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

Video | Hong Kong’s Filipino domestic helpers get second chance at university degree

NGO FullPhils was established in 2023, offering overseas Filipino workers a tertiary education to boost their career prospects.

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Asia travel

Escape Manila’s heat for northern Luzon’s pine-scented hills and Sagada’s hanging coffins

They may not make for a typical Philippine holiday, but the highlands of northern Luzon are a world apart from Manila and the tropical lowlands, finds Thomas Bird

US, Israel war on Iran

Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test

Experts say the loss will hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.

Video | Three killed in Philippines school shootin

The attack marks the third Philippine school shooting since June.

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South China Sea

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

Two sides blame each other for deliberate ramming near the contested atoll in the South China Sea, fuelling tensions over strategic waterway.

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Friday’s encounter marks one of the most serious escalations between the rival claimants in recent months. Photo: Weibo
International Criminal Court

Why the ICC is cracking down on ‘fake news’ as Duterte trial looms

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner warns parties to ‘avoid speculation’ and urges prosecutors to trim their witness list and evidence.

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Crime

3 students killed in Philippine school shooting, including gunman

The attack at Banga National ‌High School ‌in South ‌Cotabato also left eight others injured.

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SCMP Highlights

China opens Pinglu Canal; Hong Kong unveils first 5-year plan: 7 highlights

From Chinese defence chief’s forum speech to a Beijing Hyrox athlete’s faecal row, here are top stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A trial vessel moving through the Pinglu Canal in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Filipino fishers count the cost of South China Sea dispute

Blocked from accessing Scarborough Shoal and hit by local dredging, Zambales fishermen say their weekly incomes have collapsed.

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Filipino fishing boats are seen moored at a port in Masinloc town, Zambales province, in 2022. Photo: AFP
Russia

Poland eyes deeper Philippines defence ties following Black Hawk deal

Warsaw is targeting drones, air defence and artillery exports to Manila as European rearmament fuels global arms ambitions.

US-China relations

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

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