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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.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

India

Vietnam joins rush for India’s battle-tested ‘strong, non-Western’ BrahMos

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China-Philippines relations

Asian Angle | 3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work

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South Korea

Video | Asia’s new crime wave is emerging from behind bars

Armed with a smartphone, a new breed of remote criminal operates from Southeast Asia’s prisons.

South Korean national Park Wang-yeol is accused of running a drug trafficking empire from behind bars in the Philippines.
Women and gender

‘Foreigner won’: Filipinos divided over pageant winner’s US roots

Some social media users have questioned Bea Millan-Windorski’s win, while others say being Filipino is about ‘culture, history and belonging’.

United States

Decoding this year’s US-Japan-Philippines Balikatan drills

Analysts say this year’s drills, which stress tested a new generation of mobile strike capabilities, were a pointed display of resolve.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

Latest US-China rivalry combines undersea dominance with a race to riches

Ahead of leaders’ summit in Beijing next week, experts point to a high-stakes competition that features military and mining technologies.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Asean

Asean to step up push for South China Sea code, energy security

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says the code of conduct is key to unlocking deeper China-Asean economic cooperation.

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Defence

Philippines shifts defence strategy with Japan, eyes wider security focus

Defence chief Gilberto Teodoro says the Diaoyu Islands are now considered a ‘serious concern’ and the Balikatan drills will also be expanded.

China-Japan relations

Are China and Russia flexing their maritime muscle near Japan?

Tokyo’s recent tracking of three PLA Navy warships transiting Tsushima Strait comes amid heightened regional tensions.

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China’s Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, designated “Renhai-class” by Nato, is a cruiser-sized vessel with robust air-defence, anti-submarine and surface-warfare capabilities. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Why is a Chinese research ship a flashpoint with Philippines in South China Sea?

Beijing and Manila trade accusations after incident near Iroquois Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands this week.

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Manila says China’s Xiang Yang Hong 33 vessel, pictured, was monitored carrying out “unauthorised” marine scientific research operations in the western part of Iroquois Reef on Wednesday. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

Video | Filipino cowgirls tackle stereotypes

Dozens of young women like Rizza Matutino compete each year at the Rodeo Masbateno.

Asean

Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines

Southeast Asia is one of the worst affected by the global fuel crisis due to its high imports of oil and gas coming from the Gulf.

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Asean

Opinion | Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia

For regional governments, strategy is about preserving options. China has read this instinct carefully and given it a diplomatic vocabulary.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Thailand

‘No longer a time for war’: Thailand, Cambodia pledge peace at Asean summit

Both sides agreed to build trust and pursue peace after last year’s border fight, with further talks planned to solidify ties.

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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (right), Cambodian leader Hun Manet (left) and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr hold hands as they meet ahead of the Asean summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Reserve Bank of Australia is less an outlier than a harbinger of global monetary trends in the wake of war-induced supply shocks.

Japan

Opinion | US allies in Asia are looking to build middle-power coalitions

Faced with the US’ unreliability and China’s ascent, countries such as the Philippines are creating new networks of partnerships.

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China-Japan relations

China condemns Japan’s first overseas ‘offensive missile’ test since WWII

Beijing says Japan’s ‘neo-militarism’ is a ‘scourge’ that threatens regional peace and stability.

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A Japanese Type 88 surface-to-ship missile is launched during the Balikatan joint drill in the Philippines on May 6, 2026. Photo: AFP
Disease

Spain opens port to virus-hit cruise ship as rare Andes strain confirmed

Madrid steps in to help the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship at the centre of an international health scare.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Hiding from the ICC? Philippine senator’s 6-month paid absence draws fire

Ronald Dela Rosa has not appeared for work since reports of him being targeted by the ICC as a co-perpetrator in Duterte’s deadly drug war.

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Japan

Why Japanese politician’s goal to reset ties with Russia is ‘a long shot’

A proposed meeting of foreign ministers from Tokyo and Moscow is unlikely for now due to objections from the Japanese public and allies.

Honour guards hold the national flags of Japan and Russia before a welcome ceremony for then Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu in Tokyo in 2019. Photo: AFP
US Army

US Army fires Typhon for first time during Balikatan drills in Philippines

Beijing has opposed the deployment of the Typhon, which is able to strike targets in Chinese territory from the Philippines.

US and Philippine army soldiers fasten the Mid-Range Capability reload fixture to the Typhon system as part of Exercise Salaknib on June 27, 2024. Photo: US Army
Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Will Hong Kong’s lending clampdown wean helpers off debt – and save their dreams?

NGOs say regulations should not be so strict that they deny domestic helpers access to loans since they may have legitimate needs such as family emergencies.

Japan

Japan, Philippines to fast-track transfer of navy destroyers

The two countries’ shared grievances over Chinese territorial claims have seen them draw increasingly close in recent years.

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Sara Duterte-Carpio

Philippine VP’s impeachment case heads to plenary vote amid coercion claims

Duterte-Carpio’s camp has accused administration allies of pressuring legislators to support the impeachment or risk withdrawal of funds.

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Protesters hold a rally to call for the impeachment of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte, outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on April 29. Photo: EPA
Middle East

Middle East conflict pushes Philippine inflation to 3-year high

Higher fuel, food, transport and utility costs forced inflation to 7.2 per cent last month, the highest since March 2023.

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A man scops up food at a canteen in Manila on April 7. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Filipino contestant’s viral swimsuit moment, UAE’s Opec exit: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian Indians frustrating scammers to Japan sharing warship design, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Japan

Japan offers Indonesia and the Philippines lethal muscle to counter China

Frigate and submarine sales are reportedly on the cards as Tokyo’s defence minister tours the region.

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