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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.
Ash from the Mayon volcano is seen from Camalig, Albay province, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Volcanoes

Panic in Philippines as Mayon volcano ashfall blankets towns in total darkness

Some 32 volcanic earthquakes, including 25 volcanic tremors, had been reported over the weekend, vulcanologists said.

Mental health

In Philippines, youth suicide crisis exposes struggle for mental health support

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Ukraine war

Ukraine sees path to Japanese arms after Tokyo eases export rules

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Asean

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

Southeast Asian countries outdid larger economies in the 178-nation Hanke’s Annual Misery Index for 2025.

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People walk on the boardwalk in front of Singapore’s financial centre. Photo: AFP
Social media

Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate

Observers said RJ Perkins’ viral moment shows beauty pageants might be ready to move beyond their traditional ideals.

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Singapore

Singapore charges French teen over vending machine straw-licking stunt

A court also allowed Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien to travel to Manila from May 2-25 for a school trip required for his graduation.

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Scams and swindles

Can Philippines’ new anti-Pogo playbook rein in fast-moving scam hubs?

The new inter-agency rules aim to give investigators a framework tailored to Pogo-linked crime and support a coordinated response.

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A closed Philippine online gaming operator (Pogo) hub inside the former Island Cove resort in Kawit, Cavite province in December 2024. Photo: AFP
LGBTQ

Drag Race royalty Manila Luzon on Asian representation and challenging taboos

The RuPaul’s Drag Race ‘OG’ opens up on representing Filipino drag, hosting reality show Drag Den, and appearing on Worst Cooks in America.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Damage control? Philippines’ Sara Duterte hits back against wealth allegations

The vice-president’s husband has also filed a complaint against senior officials and lawmakers for ‘leaking’ the couple’s bank information.

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SCMP Highlights

Takaichi faces headwinds, Filipino retiree loses life savings: 7 Asia highlights

From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) smiles during the vote on the government’s bill to establish a National Intelligence Council during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 23, 2026. Photo: AFP
Thailand

‘Hard to breathe’: Southeast Asia’s workers reel from warmer offices, heatwave

‘The canteen and even the 7-Eleven downstairs are cooler than our office, which is why people end up gathering there,’ a Thai worker says.

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Office workers walk with umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun during hot weather in Bangkok, Thailand, last month. Photo: EPA
Asean

Will Asean’s oil scramble mean Russia builds lasting stronghold in region?

Southeast Asia’s pivot may be for economic reasons, but some analysts warn Moscow could seek to build lasting influence in the region.

Diplomacy

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

The danger is that every state insists it is acting defensively while collectively building the habits and infrastructure of confrontation.

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China's military weapons

PLA showcases YJ-20 anti-ship missiles as US-Japan-Philippines test war moves

Video of PLA Navy strike tests emerges as US, allies take part in Balikatan 2026, marking Japan’s first-ever operational role in the drills.

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China’s YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile system has a range of 1,000 to 1,500km, a cruising speed of around Mach 6 and a terminal dive speed reaching Mach 10. Photo: Handout
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine court order over Marcos’ health raises constitutional question

The order for Marcos to comment on a petition comes as Duterte’s supporters continue to cast doubts about the president’s fitness.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr tosses the ceremonial ball during the opening of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Pasay in September. Photo: AP
Crime

2 US citizens killed in raid on Philippines communist stronghold

The two Americans, Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem, arrived in Negros Occidental province about a month before they were killed.

Food and Drinks

He swore he wouldn’t be a chef. Now he has a 2-Michelin-starred restaurant

Josh Boutwood began with the belief that a chef’s life was ‘not the life for me’. Today, he has a culinary empire in Manila.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US uses unusual routes to send jet fuel to Asia bases as Hormuz stays shut

The shipments to Subic Bay and Yokose add to a growing trend of US military fuel heading to regions that typically rely on Mideast supplies.

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A Philippine Navy frigate is docked at Subic Bay in Zambales province. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem
Food and Drinks

Viral ube drinks and desserts are taking over South Korean cafes

Ube, a vibrant purple yam, is the latest craze in South Korean cafes. Here’s where to go for lattes, cakes, shakes, ice cream and more.

China’s military drills

China stages navy drill as US and Philippines embark on Balikatan 2026

The Liaoning aircraft carrier appears to be among 14 large naval vessels snapped on manoeuvres in a satellite image circulating online.

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Germany

German man accused of live streaming child abuse in the Philippines

The man is alleged to have paid female accomplices in the Philippines to carry out sexual abuse against girls aged between four and 13.

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Back view of a young girl. The alleged crimes were uncovered with the help of the US Department of Homeland Security, which had previously broken up a paedophile network in the Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock
India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

Experts say India is playing ‘steady catch-up’ in boosting undersea surveillance, while Southeast Asian nations’ capabilities differ widely.

South and Southeast Asian nations are stepping up capabilities to boost undersea surveillance and defend deep-sea cables, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Robredo’s 2028 snub leaves Philippine opposition scrabbling for ‘saviour’

A March survey showed that the popularity gap between Leni Robredo and presidential front runner Sara Duterte-Carpio had narrowed.

South China Sea

‘We owe it to the world’: Philippines pushes for South China Sea code this year

Talks between Asean and China to agree on setting rules for maritime behaviour and crisis management under the code have stalled.

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Japan

Burger King in Japan dangles US$250,000 to lure rival franchisees

Meanwhile, Philippine fried chicken chain Jollibee has announced a record operating income and is accelerating its global expansion.

Two customers bite Burger King’s Whopper hamburgers after the chain’s first Tokyo store officially opened in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in 2007. Photo: AP
Defence

How fake job ads in Philippines led to alleged spy recruitment pipeline

The ads, some of which experts say were linked to China, aimed to get unsuspecting Filipino defence specialists to give up key information.

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The Janes ads appeared to be part of efforts linked to China to draw unsuspecting Filipino defence specialists into giving up key information. Photo: Handout
Scams and swindles

This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

Industrial-scale malware is replacing ‘pig-butchering’ as Cambodia’s scam hubs pivot to high-speed digital heists.

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US-China relations

What the Iran war could tell China about US focus on maritime chokepoints

The Iran war reflects Washington’s greater emphasis on implementing its maritime security strategy, analyst says.

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