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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.
Philippine soldiers load ammunition into an Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (Armos) during a live-fire exercise in 2024. Photo: AFP
South Korea

US eyes a Philippine ammo facility as opposition warns of ‘warmongering’

The Philippines has long been the closest US ally in Asia. Now Washington wants something more: a place to make bullets and shells.

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Middle East

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

China-Philippines relations

Philippine military uncovers alleged new China spy tactics in sea row

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Women and gender

Letters | Investing in women farmers and fishers is a smart nutrition policy

Readers discuss an initiative in the Philippines to empower women fishers, and adopting English as the medium of instruction in Hong Kong.

Wetlands and mangroves along the coast of Siargao island in the Philippines. Photo: Getty Images
US, Israel war on Iran

‘It’s really bad’: record fuel prices drive Filipinos off the road

With diesel in the triple digits amid the Iran war, Filipinos brace for a domino effect on rice, electricity and basic household necessities.

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South China Sea

Why Philippines struggles to tap its US$1 trillion mineral wealth

Without a proper road map to grow its mining sector, the country remains a ‘second-tier mineral economy’.

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SCMP Highlights

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The United States Navy’s USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara are seen docked at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang, Malaysia, on Sunday. Photo: Facebook / Sherwynd Kessler
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong has a chance to lead the world in marine underwriting

Readers discuss developments in shipping, and the implications for Taiwan of US actions in the Iran war.

China-Asean relations

China offers to work with Southeast Asia to secure energy supplies

Conflict has also hit global fertiliser supplies, prompting Manila to seek assurances that Beijing would continue exports.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Soaring oil prices hit Filipino jeepney drivers: ‘what we earn goes to diesel’

Thousands of jeepney drivers protested across the Philippines against a more than doubling ‌of local diesel prices because of the Iran war.

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A protester holds a slogan that reads “scrap the oil deregulation law” as jeepney drivers hold a transport strike in Quezon City on Thursday. Photo: AP
International Criminal Court

Support for Duterte’s ICC trial has halved in a year. Here’s why

Only 30 per cent of Gen Z Filipinos now back the ICC drugs war case, as AI-generated disinformation floods TikTok.

People protest in favour of the detention of former Philippines’ president Rodrigo Duterte during a rally in The Hague on February 23 outside the International Criminal Court. Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity. Photo: AFP
Defence

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps

The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Philippines, North Korea win Asian Cup play-offs to reach 2027 Women’s World Cup

Two goals in five minutes send Filipinas into global tournament in Brazil, with North Koreans joining them after beating Chinese Taipei.

Cybersecurity

‘I’ll burn down my school’: Philippine police foil shooting plot by teens

The case involving radicalised students in Laguna province highlights the need for cyber safety and parental vigilance, analysts say.

Philippine police thwarted a school shooting plot by radicalised teens and seized offensive materials from the suspects. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for March 19-21

Problem Child pops up at Dead Poets, Overstory takes over Ozone at The Ritz-Carlton, and Argo at the Four Seasons debuts a locally focused menu.

Exploration is the first cocktail menu at Argo, at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, from beverage manager Jonathan Gabbay. Photo: Handout
Asean

Asean bets on new framework to remedy ‘uneven’ disaster response

The new ‘ASPECT’ initiative could help boost quicker collective regional responses during large-scale or evolving disasters, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US military’s Iran war pivot forces security rethink in Asia-Pacific

As assets are diverted to the Gulf, the Iran war’s high ‘burn rate’ risks creating a ‘thin spot’ in the US security umbrella.

Smoke and flames rise from the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on March 7. Photo: Sasan/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images/TNS
SCMP Highlights

Japanese governor turns heads, Nepal’s new PM is a rapper: 7 Asia highlights

From the unlikely background of Nepal’s new leader to Thai police’s deadly blind spot, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Malaysia

Arrest of stateless teen in Malaysia highlights Sabah’s citizenship crisis

Rights groups say stateless people in the country are often treated as undocumented migrants without basic protections.

Gender

Most Filipino women think a woman’s place is in the home, survey finds

A record 83 per cent of women in the Philippines now say they find domestic life as fulfilling as a career, a 30-year high.

Filipinos take part in a protest in Manila to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8. Photo: Reuters
Food and Drinks

Why Philippines’ Jollibee is Southeast Asia’s lone global food chain

The company is the only Southeast Asian name to make the top tier of a recent list of the world’s strongest restaurant brands, placing fifth.

A Jollibee fast-food restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee
Asean

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

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China's military weapons

Could PLA’s new shipborne drone redefine South China Sea naval operations?

In a first, recent CCTV footage shows a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the Chinese military’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship.

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Video | ‘Cockroach lord’ defends misunderstood bugs

The soft-spoken 31-year-old scientist has been dubbed the ‘cockroach lord’ and is credited with discovering 15 roach species.

Philippines cockroach lord.
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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong students honour over 400 foreign domestic helpers as ‘second mothers’

Renaissance College’s annual ‘Jie Jie Day’ engages participants with cultural games, raffle draws and networking opportunities.

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Hundreds of domestic helpers participate in an activity on “Jie Jie Day” organised by students of Renaissance College Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li
China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

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Hong Kong transport

Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel surcharges, joining Hong Kong rivals

Surcharge on flights originating from Hong Kong for all destinations except mainland China and the Maldives will increase by 104 per cent.

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