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.
Filipino protesters hold signs calling for Vice-President Sara Duterte’s immediate Senate impeachment trial in Pasay on June 11. Photo: AP
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine prosecutors push for Sara Duterte’s conviction

Duterte was impeached by the House in February on allegations that include misusing public funds and plotting to assassinate the president.

Asean

My Take | Southeast Asia increasingly finds China more reliable and predictable

China-Africa relations

Opinion | Africa could emerge a winner from China’s war-induced energy shift

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Crime

Claims of police complicity in mystery of missing Filipino cock fighters

Suspect ‘Totoy’ also claims a popular female celebrity is among those who knew about the disappearance of 34 cock fighters in 2021-22.

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Gamecocks fight during a cockfighting match at the San Pedro Coliseum in Laguna province in the Philippines, where the sport is hugely popular. Photo: AFP
Wellness

He’s spent half his life researching how to age well. Here’s his advice

Nominated for a global nursing prize for his research on ageing well, Hong Kong-based gerontologist Jed Montayre shares his expert advice.

Asean

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.

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SCMP Highlights

China, US finalise trade deal; global conflict warning: SCMP daily highlights

From a breakthrough in trade talks to Chinese analysts on risk of US being drawn into war by allies, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

An American B-2 Spirit takes off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 20 to support the US attack against Iranian nuclear sites. Photo: US Air Force via AFP
South China Sea

China carries out ‘largest’ military, civilian rescue drill in South China Sea

Exercise off Woody Island in contested Paracels involves more than 200 personnel, 15 vessels and two rescue helicopters, state broadcaster says.

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Scams and swindles

Filipinos turn to online scams after losing jobs in Pogo crackdown

Many of those recently arrested for online scams were former Pogo workers who ‘branched out on their own’, cybercrime chief says.

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South China Sea

Philippines and Malaysia navies renew close ties, sidestep maritime claims

Relations between the two countries have been tested over the Malaysian state of Sabah and Manila’s maritime laws.

Admiral Tansri Zulhelmy Bin Ithnain, chief of Malaysia’s Royal Navy (front row, left), meets with vice-admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy (front row, right), in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook/Philippine Navy
US-China relations

China should be alert to risk of US being drawn into war by allies, analyst says

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is seen to have brought ‘increased military conflicts and heightened uncertainty’.

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An American B-2 Spirit takes off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 20 to support the US attack against Iranian nuclear sites. Photo: US Air Force via AFP
Japan

My Take | Who are these ‘like-minded countries’ politicians are talking about?

Once used to describe ‘the West’, the term has seen expanded usage recently.

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South China Sea

China says Philippines face ‘self-inflicted destruction’ by hosting US missiles

Defence Ministry also denounces Manila’s plan to encourage fishermen to operate in disputed South China Sea waters.

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Australia

Why Filipinos are exploring a move to Australia – and seeking advice on TikTok

Viral videos created by Filipinos who’ve already made the leap offer relatable, real-life insights into a complex migration system.

Filipinos in Australia listen to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr during an event in Melbourne last year. Photo: AFP
Iran

Will Philippines help US in another Middle East conflict?

With the US embroiled in the Israel-Iran war, there is speculation over whether Manila would help Washington, like it did in the Iraq War.

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US and Philippine soldiers salute during the opening ceremony of the annual US-Philippines Balikatan joint drills at a camp in Manila in April. Photo: AFP
Rodrigo Duterte

In the Philippines, AI fakes duel over VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment

Even after being exposed as fakes, supporters of Sara Duterte remained unfazed, claiming the AI-generated content still made a valid point.

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South China Sea

Opinion | How data-sharing can help defuse South China Sea tensions

A project to share maritime information could contribute to turning the region from a geopolitical flashpoint into a model for preventive diplomacy.

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International Criminal Court

Will Australia host Duterte’s interim release from The Hague detention?

Duterte’s daughter, Sara, said her father’s lawyers were looking at Australia for his release to a third-party country.

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Families holding portraits of victims of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war watch a live stream of Duterte’s first appearance at the International Criminal Court on March 14. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Indo-Pacific or Middle East? US dilemma leaves Philippines exposed

As US attention and resources pivot to a volatile Middle East, experts warn of a strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific.

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Currencies

Trade war worries push Asian central banks to curb currency intervention

India, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea are all easing their grip on currencies as the US dollar tumbles – to avoid a Trumpian backlash?

South China Sea

Philippines’ Sara Duterte takes aim at US ties, attacks missile deployment

The vice-president urged Manila to pursue an independent foreign policy, arguing it should not ‘cling’ to either the US or China.

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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan flags record 216 days of Chinese ships near disputed islands

The unprecedented streak of Chinese vessel sightings was capped off by four coastguard vessels that were observed on Sunday, Tokyo said.

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A Chinese maritime surveillance vessel and a Japanese ship pass near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Photo: Kyodo
South China Sea

The net tightens: how China squeezes Filipino fishers at Scarborough Shoal

A new report warns of China’s growing de facto control, as analysts say ‘grey-zone coercion’ is slowly by surely reshaping the South China Sea.

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Hong Kong transport

Exclusive | Japan overtakes Hong Kong as Cebu Pacific’s most-travelled destination

But airline saw a record 1.13 million passengers travelling between the Philippines and Hong Kong last year, a jump of 34 per cent from 2023.

US-Asean relations

Crisis calculations: Trump’s America has Southeast Asia in a spin

Punitive tariffs and severe aid cuts are shaking the foundations of the US relationship with Asean, deepening a sense of ‘unreliability’.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
SCMP Highlights

China-EU friction in spotlight, Beijing’s growing clout: SCMP daily highlights

From a new mainland China-Hong Kong payment scheme to Beijing’s influence in Central Asia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Chinese officials and state media deny comments by the EU that Beijing is weaponising its manufacturing power to disrupt global trade. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

China uses water cannon to expel Philippine vessel from Scarborough Shoal

Incident on Friday follows earlier coastguard confrontations near Half Moon and Royal Captain shoals.

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Israel-Iran conflict

By air, land and sea, nations race to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran

Caught between warring nations, thousands of foreign nationals are being moved out of Israel and Iran in complex logistical operations.

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