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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 security guard guides students as they enter an elementary school, a day after a school shooting in the city of Tacloban southeast ​of Manila, in Quezon City, Philippines, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Crime

‘We love guns’: school shooting exposes reality of Philippine crisis

While the country has gun-control laws, most Filipinos simply ignore them and arm themselves without much difficulty, experts say.

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Defence

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

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SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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The State Department’s top diplomat for East Asia, Michael DeSombre, said on Thursday that the long-standing US policy known as the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan is still operating. Photo: AFP
China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

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South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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Taiwan

Beijing slams US, European concerns over coastguard patrols near Taiwan

Mainland Chinese authorities reject criticism, saying deployments are necessary response to maritime border talks between Manila and Tokyo.

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A mainland Chinese vessel is seen approaching the waters near Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea on June 11. Photo: Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council via AP
China's military weapons

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

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South China Sea

China discovers rare coral reef blue hole in disputed Scarborough Shoal

Beijing has used law enforcement patrols and scientific study to boost its control over the contested South China Sea area.

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South Korea

As US wavers, ex-minister says Japan and South Korea ‘only have each other’

Former Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said Tokyo and Seoul ‘need to step up our own effort for stability in the region’.

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US soldiers cross a floating bridge on the Imjin River during a joint exercise with their South Korean counterparts in Yeoncheon last year. Photo: AP
Crime

Philippines foils second planned high school attack in Leyte in days

Authorities got a tip-off on an ‘impending mass shooting’ in the province, two days after a shooting incident that killed three students.

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Philippine police officers enter the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province, Philippines, on Monday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

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Indonesia

How Indonesia’s coal policies left its own citizens in the dark

Hours-long blackouts since last week have disrupted the lives and businesses of millions of subscribers of state-owned utility firm PLN in Java.

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South China Sea

Chinese-Filipino groups downplay Sinophobia over earthquake aid in Philippines

The community is drawing attention partly due to the South China Sea row and spying cases involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

Chinese-Filipinos walk along Binondo in Manila. The community has been involved in disaster relief efforts in the Philippines for many years. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
Video gaming

After Philippines’ worst school shooting, a familiar hunt for easy answers

The Tacloban attack has reignited a debate over youth radicalisation online, but experts warn blanket bans ignore the real issue.

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A security guard uses a metal detector to check students’ bags at a high school in Quezon City, the Philippines, on Tuesday, a day after the school shooting in Tacloban. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

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South China Sea

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

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South China Sea

Strong ties, even stronger dollar propel US to top of Philippine tourism market

The Philippines, however, attracted just 2.1 million of Southeast Asia’s 48.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year.

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Tourists take photos at Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island in Central Visayas province in the Philippines in December 2025. Photo: AFP
Philippine National Police

Video | 3 killed in school shooting in central Philippines

Two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, are in custody after the deadly attack in Tacloban City.

SCMP Highlights

Tourists in China call locals smelly, Singapore vs London: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian tourists in China to a fatal school shooting in the Philippines, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

China-Japan relations

Japan’s defence outreach to counter China in the region hits hidden roadblocks

Tokyo’s approach combines security, economic and diplomatic tools to show regional nations an alternative to the China-US dilemma.

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After Japan lifted its ban on lethal weapons exports in April, it can sell defence equipment to 17 countries, including six Asean nations. Photo: EPA
Crime

Fatal shooting exposes ‘systemic failures’ in Philippine schools

The tragedy has sparked concern among educators amid the rise of bullying in public schools and the lack of safety mechanisms on campus.

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People stand next to the entrance gate of San Jose National High School after a shooting incident in Tacloban City, Leyte province, the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China says it warned off multiple Japanese ‘provocations’ during carrier drills

State media airs footage of several encounters involving warships and planes during the Liaoning carrier group’s recent operations in the Pacific.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Will Philippines’ new bill entrench the political dynasties it aims to curb?

Critics say the bill does not address political power concentration in government or the conditions that allow dynasties to flourish.

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Retailing

The View | What retail apocalypse? Southeast Asia’s malls are sitting pretty

Unlike in other markets, Southeast Asia’s malls are in a good situation as they embrace experiential retail and adapt to consumer tastes.

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Russian flying trapeze artists perform in the atrium of Pondok Indah Mall 2 in Jakarta on June 19. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Why Wong-Putin meeting doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

Singapore needs to balance its tough stance on the Ukraine war with its responsibilities towards other Asean nations, experts say.

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Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Asean Summit in Kazan on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik/AP
Crime

3 teens dead, 7 injured as 2 shooters target Philippines school

Bullying is believed to be the motive, police say. The alleged attackers, who have been arrested, are aged 15 and 14.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Russia frees 24 Filipinos after Marcos speaks with Putin

The Philippine leader raised the issue with the Russian president during their meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan.

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