Raissa Robles has written for the SCMP since 1996. A freelance journalist specialising in politics, international relations, business and Muslim rebellion, she has contributed to Reuters, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Daily Mail, Times of London, Radio Netherlands and Asiaweek. She runs the award-winning investigative and opinion blog, raissarobles.com. Her book, Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, a brief history of the dictatorship won the 2017 National Book Awards for Non-Fiction. Her Twitter handle is @raissawriter.
Latest from Raissa Robles
Defence authorities ended a pact that had kept military and police off campus saying the university was a safe haven for ‘extremists’. A senator took a dig at China by saying the government should look for communists elsewhere, such as in the disputed South China Sea.
Defence authorities ended a pact that had kept military and police off campus saying the university was a safe haven for ‘extremists’. A senator took a dig at China by saying the government should look for communists elsewhere, such as in the disputed South China Sea.
Claims that corruption has hiked prices of the vaccine are ‘fake news’, according to presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Claims that corruption has hiked prices of the vaccine are ‘fake news’, according to presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Analysts said Wang’s trip was timed to shore up alliances between China and its neighbours before Joe Biden becomes US president next week.
Analysts said Wang’s trip was timed to shore up alliances between China and its neighbours before Joe Biden becomes US president next week.
Proposed amendments would allow for more foreign investment in the country as it attempts to lift itself out of a coronavirus-induced slump, but some fear a play to make President Rodrigo Duterte stronger.
Proposed amendments would allow for more foreign investment in the country as it attempts to lift itself out of a coronavirus-induced slump, but some fear a play to make President Rodrigo Duterte stronger.
Filipinos will not be able to choose which vaccine they get, and trust over vaccine safety may be another hurdle as the country looks to inoculate more than half the population by 2021.
Filipinos will not be able to choose which vaccine they get, and trust over vaccine safety may be another hurdle as the country looks to inoculate more than half the population by 2021.
Sinopharm and Sinovac have said they will request this week that their vaccines be cleared for emergency use, according to Manila’s ambassador to China.
Sinopharm and Sinovac have said they will request this week that their vaccines be cleared for emergency use, according to Manila’s ambassador to China.
The lion’s share of the US$93.7 billion budget is going to ministries and infrastructure projects, with only 4 per cent targeted to fight Covid-19.
The lion’s share of the US$93.7 billion budget is going to ministries and infrastructure projects, with only 4 per cent targeted to fight Covid-19.
A top medical expert warns that the country faces a long battle with Covid-19 unless a coherent strategy to fight it is implemented.
A top medical expert warns that the country faces a long battle with Covid-19 unless a coherent strategy to fight it is implemented.
Investigate PH, comprised of foreign-based church groups, lawyers and political leaders, will gather evidence of the president’s misdeeds for the ICC.
Investigate PH, comprised of foreign-based church groups, lawyers and political leaders, will gather evidence of the president’s misdeeds for the ICC.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez spent more than an hour painting a rosy picture of his country’s pandemic response, before telling a reporter he was self-isolating after testing positive.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez spent more than an hour painting a rosy picture of his country’s pandemic response, before telling a reporter he was self-isolating after testing positive.
The offering from US Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller was the latest gift to Manila from Washington as it aims to counter China in the region.
The offering from US Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller was the latest gift to Manila from Washington as it aims to counter China in the region.
The country already has a surplus of trained nurses, but not enough jobs to go round, with some hospitals paying less than a shop assistant’s wage.
The country already has a surplus of trained nurses, but not enough jobs to go round, with some hospitals paying less than a shop assistant’s wage.
US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien made the comments after an Asia tour, during which he slammed China over issues including trade and Covid-19.
US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien made the comments after an Asia tour, during which he slammed China over issues including trade and Covid-19.
In Muslim-majority Bangsamoro, proposed legislation banning marriages for children under 18 is at odds with the country’s Code of Muslim Personal Laws, under which girls as young as 13 can be married.
In Muslim-majority Bangsamoro, proposed legislation banning marriages for children under 18 is at odds with the country’s Code of Muslim Personal Laws, under which girls as young as 13 can be married.
The Philippine foreign ministry says President Duterte ordered the extension ‘in appreciative recognition’ of Washington’s part in keeping the South China Sea stable.
The Philippine foreign ministry says President Duterte ordered the extension ‘in appreciative recognition’ of Washington’s part in keeping the South China Sea stable.
While Biden’s administration will be more civil than Trump’s, the US will continue freedom of navigation operations in the disputed sea, analysts say.
While Biden’s administration will be more civil than Trump’s, the US will continue freedom of navigation operations in the disputed sea, analysts say.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes said on Wednesday that Manila was keen to avoid ‘actions that would be misconstrued’ in reference to plans to recruit fishermen into seaborne militia units.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes said on Wednesday that Manila was keen to avoid ‘actions that would be misconstrued’ in reference to plans to recruit fishermen into seaborne militia units.
While the Trump administration’s poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen support for Biden grow, those who favour the president see parallels with the Philippines’ Duterte.
While the Trump administration’s poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen support for Biden grow, those who favour the president see parallels with the Philippines’ Duterte.
Retired Philippine general Emmanuel Bautista said the superpowers would seek to control strategic waterways linking the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Retired Philippine general Emmanuel Bautista said the superpowers would seek to control strategic waterways linking the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Under fire immigration chief says almost 2,800 Chinese have overstayed visas – some due to the coronavirus – and are now being ordered to leave.
Under fire immigration chief says almost 2,800 Chinese have overstayed visas – some due to the coronavirus – and are now being ordered to leave.
Members of the Philippines’ House of Representatives voted to replace Alan Peter Cayetano with Lord Allan Velasco, a member of the ruling PDP-Laban Party, with Cayetano’s unwillingness to step down setting up a possible power struggle.
Members of the Philippines’ House of Representatives voted to replace Alan Peter Cayetano with Lord Allan Velasco, a member of the ruling PDP-Laban Party, with Cayetano’s unwillingness to step down setting up a possible power struggle.
Eugenio Lopez has walked away from the family business empire, including its crown jewel television station, seemingly relenting in a battle with Rodrigo Duterte – the latest in a line of tycoons in the Philippines to run afoul of him.
Eugenio Lopez has walked away from the family business empire, including its crown jewel television station, seemingly relenting in a battle with Rodrigo Duterte – the latest in a line of tycoons in the Philippines to run afoul of him.
Presidents Xi and Duterte had already reached a ‘consensus’ to ‘put aside’ their competing maritime claims, according to Chinese envoy to Manila Huang Xilian.
Presidents Xi and Duterte had already reached a ‘consensus’ to ‘put aside’ their competing maritime claims, according to Chinese envoy to Manila Huang Xilian.
In Duterte’s first speech before the UN General Assembly, he rejected attempts by states to undermine a ruling that favours the Philippines’ South China Sea claims.
In Duterte’s first speech before the UN General Assembly, he rejected attempts by states to undermine a ruling that favours the Philippines’ South China Sea claims.
In first address to General Assembly, president lashes out at activist groups that have ‘weaponised human rights’ to discredit his government.
In first address to General Assembly, president lashes out at activist groups that have ‘weaponised human rights’ to discredit his government.
Foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr warns Manila is taking a tough new stance on the territorial dispute. There’s just one problem: nobody knows if he’s serious or not.
Foreign secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr warns Manila is taking a tough new stance on the territorial dispute. There’s just one problem: nobody knows if he’s serious or not.
The charges were recommended after investigations into irregularities at the state agency paying for medical care and Covid-19 testing, which the health secretary chairs.
The charges were recommended after investigations into irregularities at the state agency paying for medical care and Covid-19 testing, which the health secretary chairs.
The Senate is at odds with Duterte over his endorsement of Duque, whom it has accused of criminal negligence and gross mishandling of the pandemic.
The Senate is at odds with Duterte over his endorsement of Duque, whom it has accused of criminal negligence and gross mishandling of the pandemic.
The donation of non-combat equipment came as Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe met his counterpart Delfin Lorenzana and President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, where the South China Sea was also a topic of discussion.
The donation of non-combat equipment came as Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe met his counterpart Delfin Lorenzana and President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, where the South China Sea was also a topic of discussion.
The law group that represented the family of Jennifer Laude claims decision by Philippine president is ‘part of a bigger deal’ involving arms sales and the South China Sea.
The law group that represented the family of Jennifer Laude claims decision by Philippine president is ‘part of a bigger deal’ involving arms sales and the South China Sea.
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