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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.
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Extreme weather
‘Master of Disaster’: Can a board game help Philippines face next catastrophe?
From typhoons to earthquakes, ‘Master of Disaster’ turns a roll of the dice into a life-saving lesson for the world’s most vulnerable.
29 Dec 2025 - 5:46PM
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South China Sea
China hints ‘illegal’ Philippine fishing is harming disputed Scarborough Shoal
29 Dec 2025 - 5:33PM
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Education
Will Philippines’ ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget make the grade?
29 Dec 2025 - 5:37PM
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Rodrigo Duterte
Corruption, floods and clan wars rock Philippines in 2025
Deepening political feuds, ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest and the South China Sea dispute have reshaped the Philippine landscape.
28 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Outside In
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As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host
China’s return as Apec chair is an opportunity to show that both the organisation and its message of multilateralism are as relevant as ever.
26 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM
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Rodrigo Duterte
Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case
While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.
25 Dec 2025 - 2:53PM
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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy
Helper who survived Hong Kong fire recovers in Philippines for Christmas
Rhodora Alcaraz earlier lauded by Philippine president as hero for her role in helping save three-month-old baby during last month’s fire.
24 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
Corruption in Asia
Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’
Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.
24 Dec 2025 - 5:55PM
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Extreme weather
Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods
From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.
23 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM
SCMP Highlights
Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights
From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.
23 Dec 2025 - 12:45PM
Hong Kong society
Filipino helper killed in Hong Kong fire hailed as heroine on repatriation
Filipino official says Maryan Pascual Esteban’s body arrives in country while Hong Kong authorities vow long-term support for affected residents.
21 Dec 2025 - 7:51PM
Crime
Bondi shooter visited Philippine gun shop before attack: police
Police retrace Sydney shooters’ steps in Davao City as CCTV shows Sajid Akram at a gun shop, but officials deny ample time for extremist training.
20 Dec 2025 - 6:15PM
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Insurance
‘Medical pork’ row exposes political grip over Philippine health assistance
Doctors and health groups say the system allows politicians to influence who receives state medical aid, undermining universal care.
20 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM
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Corruption in Asia
Asian Angle
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Greed and pork barrel politics fuel the Philippines’ fatal floods
Filipinos are paying the ultimate price for a system that favours corrupt lawmakers’ pet projects over scientifically sound flood control.
20 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM
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Asia travel
‘Limits’ to hospitality: 10 times Asia overtourism became a problem in 2025
From Japan to Indonesia, excessive tourism has created issues in some of Asia’s travel hubs this year.
19 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM
Australia
Is Philippines being unfairly named in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting?
Australian police are looking into a trip the two suspects made to Davao City, but Philippine officials say it is not connected to the shooting.
19 Dec 2025 - 5:24PM
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Chinese tourists
Philippines struggles to win back Chinese tourists as regional rivals surge
New data shows Chinese arrivals to the Philippines hit 312,000 last year, only 18 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
19 Dec 2025 - 2:15PM
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South China Sea
Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’
A US senator says the support for Manila and other allies reflects the threats posed by China and its partners in the ‘axis of aggressors’.
18 Dec 2025 - 10:12PM
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Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific investigates wrong taxiway use at Manila airport
Carrier says it is cooperating with local authorities in probe into incident, which led to delays for two incoming planes.
18 Dec 2025 - 10:43PM
US-China decoupling
Open Questions
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Yeo on how Trump wants to avoid Taiwan upending China relations
Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo says that Donald Trump is prioritising stable relations with China, and that the US is facing decline amid a shift to a multipolar world.
18 Dec 2025 - 12:28PM
Australia
Philippines rejects ‘outdated’ violent extremism label linked to Bondi attack
National Security Adviser Ano denied the alleged gunmen who killed 15 people in Sydney received military training in Davao.
18 Dec 2025 - 9:15AM
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Australia
Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance
Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:29PM
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Defence
Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems
The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.
17 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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India
Indian police reveal Bondi Beach shooting suspect’s background
Police said the Indian family of Sajid Akram, who got a degree in commerce in Hyderabad, was unaware of his ‘radical mindset’.
17 Dec 2025 - 12:08PM
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Australia
Alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram charged with terrorism, murder
Akram, who regained consciousness after being in a coma, also faces multiple charges related to other offences.
17 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy
Philippines’ Marcos lauds helper returning home after deadly Hong Kong fire
Country’s top envoy in Hong Kong says Philippine president met Rhodora Alcaraz, praised her for role in saving employer’s baby.
17 Dec 2025 - 3:26AM
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr
Can UN anti-corruption pact bring Zaldy Co back to Philippines?
The former lawmaker, who is facing charges linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, is suspected to have fled to Portugal.
16 Dec 2025 - 9:04PM
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Australia
‘He was a nice person’: alleged Bondi gunman’s path to violence stuns Australia
Police investigate how Naveed Akram went from a teenager interested in Islam to one of Australia’s worst alleged killers.
16 Dec 2025 - 4:09PM
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