The Philippines
TOPIC
 / location

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.
last updated:
29 November, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants the US to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Philippine politicians worry about ‘warmonger’ Trump’s aggressive foreign policy

Several groups say Donald Trump poses a grave danger to the region and worry the US president-elect may involve the Philippines in a war.

videocam
South China Sea

Philippines urged to ‘lean into US alliance’ to deter China in disputed sea

videocam
34
International Criminal Court

Filipinos fear US’ anti-ICC bill may impede probe into Duterte’s drug war

videocam
ByteDance

ByteDance’s latest export after TikTok: Chinese short dramas

The company is looking for its next big hit in short dramas, with eyes on Southeast Asia and English-speaking markets.

ByteDance is bringing short dramas to foreign markets. Photo: Shutterstock Images
South China Sea

‘Show of force’? Huge Chinese ship seen near shoal contested with Philippines

Observers interpret the presence of the 165-metre vessel near Scarborough Shoal as a warning to Manila about its military ties with the US.

videocam
15
South China Sea

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

videocam
17
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
War in Afghanistan

Manila hosts US immigrant visa centre for Afghans to resettle after Taliban rule

The Afghans, who worked for the US in Afghanistan qualified for special immigrant visas but were left behind after the US withdrawal.

Afghans arrive at an airport terminal on the Philippines’ Luzon island. Photo: US Embassy, Manila/AFP
Crime

Pogos ‘in stealth mode’ spark concerns about Philippine national security

Smaller breakaway networks could still ‘co-opt the country’s systems’ to continue underground and influence local politics, analysts warn.

videocam
China-Philippines relations

Drone discovery in Philippines spurs call for US military expansion

Filipino congressman Robert Ace Barbers’ call comes after a drone was recovered off Masbate, which he says could be a spying device.

videocam
Energy

As energy costs soar, the Philippines eyes a nuclear revival

Reviving a decades-old mothballed plant at Bataan would fast track adoption of nuclear, but concerns about safety and corruption persist.

5
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines. Photo: Reuters
Sex and relationships

Forgotten no more: the abandoned Filipino children using DNA to find their fathers

An Australian charity is using DNA to track down fathers of children abandoned by sex tourists in Angeles City, offering hope amid dire conditions.

6
Burdened with violence and despair, few children finish primary school in Hadrian’s Extension, Angeles City. Photo: Huw Watkin
US-China relations

Survival tactics: how the US military is adapting to China’s growing might

In the Philippines, Australia and across the Pacific, US defence strategy is pivoting from supremacy to a ‘scatter and survive’ approach.

videocam
23
Vietnam

Vietnam’s BrahMos plans spotlight India’s rising Southeast Asian security role

The US$700 million deal would make Vietnam the second nation in the region to acquire the supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.

18
Defence

‘We are a frontline state’: how the Philippines is preparing for a US-China war

The US treaty ally is spending billions to arm itself for a conflict over Taiwan or the South China Sea it hopes will never come.

videocam
80
Soldiers march during a military parade held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last month to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Philippine military. Photo: AFP
Icons and Influencers

Meet Bella Poarch, the rising music star behind TikTok’s most-liked video

Her viral lip-synch videos in 2020 catapulted her to fame, leading to a music career and fashion brand collaborations … but there was also that controversial tattoo

videocam
Bella Poarch went from Navy vet to TikTok star in the space of a year. Photo: @bellapoarch/Instagram
Asia travel

8 Asian surfing spots to ride the waves, from Phuket to Sri Lanka

Surfing is banned in Hong Kong, but the rest of Asia offers great alternatives for everyone – from Phuket’s beginner waves to Indonesia’s challenging barrels.

China-Philippines relations

Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone from sea

Police said the device marked ‘HY-119’ can be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China-Philippines relations

Why 2024 was the ‘most violent, dangerous’ point in Philippine-China ties

June 17 clash at Second Thomas Shoal, China’s grey-zone activities among Philippines’ challenges as it sought to boost defence in disputed sea.

videocam
5
A Chinese coastguard member holds an axe as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP
South China Sea

Is US naval activity in Philippine waters to counter China’s Typhon objection?

USNS Victorious’ presence near Luzon is to signal Washington’s commitment to the Philippines amid the Typhon row with China, analysts say.

videocam
4
Ferdinand Marcos, Jnr

Why the Philippines’ latest budget has been called ‘heartbreaking’

Funds for the social and health protection of the country’s poorest have been channelled to politicians for their pet projects, critics say.

videocam
9
Women and gender

Cambodia pardons 13 Philippine mothers for surrogacy scheme

Surrogacy is banned in Cambodia, and the women, convicted of attempted human trafficking, were among 24 foreign women detained in September.

Thirteen Filipino women, imprisoned in Cambodia for surrogacy, have been pardoned and returned home after a royal pardon. Photo: Shutterstock
Defence

Can the Philippines overcome its cyber defence shortcomings?

Official say cyberattacks are a major security threats, but observers are sceptical the country can modernise its defences fast enough.

videocam
Philippine officials say cyberattacks are a major threat to national security and a priority amid the country’s military modernisation efforts. Shutterstock Images
South Korea

‘So exhausting I feel like crying’: shock for Filipino carers in Korea

Filipino carers in Seoul are grappling with high living costs that mean they can’t save money, and with having to perform unexpected tasks.

9
China trade

Durian, the fashionable fruit that is changing tastes across China

A Shenzhen restaurant has gone viral online after launching a 199-yuan-a-head buffet featuring more than 200 durian dishes.

Diplomacy

Opinion | With South Korea in crisis, what black swans lurk for East Asia in 2025?

Signs of upheaval and uncertainty in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines will be compounded as the US recalibrates its East Asia policy.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Defence

Philippines forges ahead with Typhon purchase plan: ‘China should not intervene’

Experts say the move is a declaration of self-reliance and a calculated gamble amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea.

videocam
19
The Typhon is a land-based, ground-launched system designed to enhance multi-domain capabilities. Photo: US Army
Rodrigo Duterte

Can Philippines VP Duterte survive impeachment with father Rodrigo as her lawyer?

Analysts say Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to be legal counsel for her cases is aimed at leveraging his influence over the public and lawmakers.

videocam
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine VP’s US$10 million snack-name scandal: a recipe for impeachment?

Complaints over confidential funds given to individuals seemingly using aliases derived from food brands fuel calls for transparency.

videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
loading