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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.
Malaysian fugitive businessman Nicky Liow is brought to court in 2021. Photo: Weibo
SCMP Highlights

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

From North Korea’s dog meat advice to Prabowo at odds with Indonesia’s rich, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Asean

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

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

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

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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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The LY-1, seen here during the Victory Day military parade in Beijing in September 2025, is tasked with close-range interception of incoming missiles and drones. Photo: Xinhua
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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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.

Police and officials remind residents to evacuate to higher ground as floodwaters inundate a village in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Photo: AP
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.

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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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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Illustration: Mario Rivera
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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Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing reviews the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday. Myanmar’s former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with Asean. Photo: EPA
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.

Religion

Video | Inside Asia’s only dedicated exorcism centre

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

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.

Tom Holland and Zendaya star in the much-anticipated ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. Photo: Sony Pictures
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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A lithium battery production line at a factory in Huaibei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

Live dogs for sale behind Rajin market in North Korea. Photo: SCMP
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.

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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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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UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband (left) speaks during the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with the United Kingdom in Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: EPA
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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BRP Sierra Madre is seen grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea in April 2023. Photo: AP
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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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.

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.

Rainy weather over Victoria Harbour and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront earlier this week. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

Vapour rises from cooling towers of a nuclear power plant in Saint-Vulbas, central eastern France, in January 2022. About 70 per cent of France’s power supply comes from nuclear energy. Photo: AFP
Crime

Arrest of ‘fake Filipino’ sharpens concerns over security risks in key sectors

The case of Maxipro president Lawrence Ke Sy underscores a shift in how Philippine authorities approach national security, analysts say.

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Hong Kong society

Li Ka Shing Foundation, Disney gift 24,000 domestic helpers Toy Story 5 tickets

Registration on Klook to open at 9pm on Wednesday in latest collaboration between Hong Kong tycoon’s charity foundation and The Walt Disney Company.

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