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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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pose before talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

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South China Sea

Philippines rejects China’s claim it ‘staged’ cyanide evidence at disputed shoal

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Defence

US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot

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US, Israel war on Iran

UN warns 8 million in Asia-Pacific risk poverty if Iran war drags on

A new UNDP report has forecast job losses, crippling inflation and food insecurity, with the poorest nations brutally exposed to the oil shock.

A farmer sprinkles fertiliser on crops in a field on the outskirts of Amritsar, India, on April 9. Experts have warned that the fertiliser crunch across Asia-Pacific may have lasting effects. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Japan’s sakura season rift, Singapore’s Hormuz stance: 7 Asia highlights

From Japan’s sakura season rift to a defamation hearing, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar douses row over diesel supplied to Philippines

The prime minister denied Petronas involvement, saying Malaysia was a transit point for foreign deals.

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Asia travel

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

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A Vietjet Airline airplane in front of a Vietnam Airlines airplane, at Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysian bust spotlights shadow fleet oil trade in Southeast Asia

Two tankers were intercepted in waters off Penang on Saturday during an alleged illegal transfer of more than 700,000 litres of diesel.

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Malaysia

Malaysia foils illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfer in waters off Penang

Malaysia has been cracking down on fuel smuggling amid mounting shortages and ‌supply disruptions caused by the Iran war.

Singapore

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

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Children walk through a flooded area in Baseco, one of the biggest slums in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

‘We let the soup get cold’: Filipino street food in a stew over LPG price shock

Manila’s street food stalls forced to raise prices and serve colder meals as they grapple with soaring fuel costs.

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People eat braised beef stew locally known as “pares” at a stall in Manila, the Philippines, on April 7. Photo: AFP
Renewable energy

Opinion | Hormuz crisis a chance to spur Asia’s shift to clean, secure energy

The US war on Iran should be a catalyst for governments and industries to accelerate the transition to renewables.

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South China Sea

‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China

Combat-ready Japanese troops are being deployed in the Philippines for the first time since Japan’s occupation of the country during World War II.

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Food and agriculture

Asia’s ‘panicked farmers’ brace for a looming rice crisis post-Iran war

Shortages of imported fertilisers and fuel could not have come at a worse time for many Southeast Asian rice farmers.

A woman harvests rice in Kandal province, Cambodia. Spiking fuel and fertiliser costs are rattling major rice-growing regions. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

The number of teenagers arrested for drug-related crimes in the country has surged from just 30 in 2005 to 1,477 in 2023.

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A delivery man makes his way on motorbike through Seoul’s busy Hongdae neighbourhood. Photo: Shutterstock
Rodrigo Duterte

Sara Duterte faces impeachment, but leads Philippine presidential survey. Why?

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

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South China Sea

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

The Philippine Coast Guard command centre on Thitu Island is unveiled on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Heat is on: Singapore turns up air-con thermostat in public spaces to save power

Singapore had earlier warned of costlier power bills in the coming months as fuel prices are expected to remain high in the short term.

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Diplomacy

Can Philippines become critical minerals powerhouse with help from US, Japan?

To curb China’s dominance in the sector, Manila has to cut red tape and fight corruption to draw US and Japanese investors.

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South China Sea

Philippine lawmakers’ call for oil deals with China prompts warnings of ‘a trap’

However, some analysts say that if both sides can agree on equitable oil and gas production, Filipinos could benefit from lower prices.

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Workers maintain well-drilling facilities on a Chinese offshore oil platform in the northern waters of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Wake-up call: Philippines’ declining literacy risks outsourcing business

A three-year review of the country’s education system shows that nine in 10 children cannot read and understand a simple text by age 10.

Filipino call centre personnel attend to their US clients at a business process outsourcing office in Manila. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

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Asean

Most in Asean prefer China over US in survey, Trump cited as biggest concern

Support for China was stronger in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Filipino farmers leave crops to rot as fuel prices drive up cost of harvest

It costs farmers 30 US cents to produce a kilogram of cabbage, which sells for as little as 5 US cents.

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A farmer harvests cabbages at a farm in Atok in the Philippines on March 31. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

Filipino taxi driver suspended after overcharging K-pop star Soobin in Cebu

Footage from the TXT member shows the driver demanding more than triple the usual price of a trip from the airport.

Choi Soo-bin is a member of K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, or TXT. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Why high fuel costs could accelerate the Philippines’ EV boom

Vietnam’s VinFast is seizing the moment by offering incentives for drivers to make the switch from petrol-powered vehicles to electric.

Fame and celebrity

Style according to ... TV presenter and entrepreneur Georgina Wilson-Burnand

The TV presenter and Sunnies entrepreneur shares her style icons including Carolyn Bessette, Manila hang-outs, and love for gifting locally woven pieces.

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