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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.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela gestures beside Senator Risa Hontiveros during a visit to Philippine-occupied Thitu island in the disputed South China Sea on February 21. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

‘Deliberate signal’: Philippines elevates officer amid South China Sea tensions

Analysts say Marcos is doubling down on the country’s ‘transparency initiative’ while engaging Beijing diplomatically behind closed doors.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Millions of Asian migrant workers in Gulf at risk as war with Iran rages on

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Celebrity style

Flashback: Filipino influencer Bryanboy introduces his favourite looks

South China Sea

South China Sea expert warns 2026 code of conduct is ‘simply not achievable’

The agreement ‘cannot be successfully negotiated’ while rival claimant Philippines holds Asean chair, Chinese analyst Wu Shicun says.

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The Chinese coastguard recovers Philippine fishing nets near a disputed area of the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

US mining expansion in Africa, Indonesia’s aircraft carrier: 5 weekend reads

From how Khamenei’s death will impact China-Iran ties to what Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier means, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Iran

Death of Iran’s Khamenei sparks outrage and calls for restraint in Asia

Protesters stormed the US consulate in Karachi as leaders, including Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the killing and appealed for dialogue.

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Artificial intelligence

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it

From Singapore’s SEA-LION to Malaysia’s ILMU, Southeast Asian nations aim to build AI that reflects their own languages, cultures and values.

A link to the Grok website is seen in a social media post. Grok released a feature in December that allowed users to generate non-consensual sexualised images of women and children. Photo: Getty Images
South China Sea

Indonesia is getting an aircraft carrier. The Philippines isn’t. Does it matter?

Indonesia wants to project power. The Philippines wants to deny it. In the South China Sea, one approach may matter more than the other.

Hong Kong society

47% of Hong Kong employees happy at work, lowest among 8 Asia-Pacific economies

Less than half of local employees report feeling happy at work, compared with 56 per cent from Singapore, according to Jobsdb Hong Kong.

Jeffrey Epstein

Did Philippine gig workers help Jeffrey Epstein clean up his online image?

The US Justice Department has released emails showing the sex offender might have recruited a ‘Philippine team’ to boost his reputation.

Documents that were included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Photo: AP
China-Middle East relations

Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?

Unusually detailed posts by commercial firm MizarVision about America’s deployments in the Middle East are grabbing attention.

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The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford docks at the Greek island of Crete on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Can China and Philippines ‘swap disputes with cooperation’ in disputed waters?

Senator says the two sides might start joint patrols in the South China Sea by the end of next month.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

On This Day | Turmoil in Philippines as People Power ends Marcos rule in 1986 – SCMP archive

On this day 40 years ago, a series of massive protests in Philippines ended the decades-long rule of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Snr.

LGBTQ

Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate

Advocates hailed the ruling as a breakthrough, though observers said its reach remains limited without congressional action.

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A same-sex couple joins “Metro Manila Pride”, the longest-running pride march in Southeast Asia, in 2016. Photo: Shutterstock
Rodrigo Duterte

ICC prosecutor says Duterte bragged about drug war as ‘bodies piled up’

Edward Jeremy alleged that the ex-president drew up ‘death lists’ and children were strangled with wire and ‘sold’ to funeral homes.

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A protester holds a cut-out of Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Chinese maritime militia in South China Sea hit ‘record high’ in 2025: US report

Deployments averaged 241 vessels per day, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative report says, notes waning role for civilian fishing fleets.

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China trade

US-Indonesia deal threatens China’s ‘entrenched position’ in nickel market: analysts

A new deal gives America unrestricted access to Indonesia’s nickel – and challenges China’s ‘preferential’ position in the market, analysts say.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Video | From drug tsar to ICC detainee: the rise and fall of Rodrigo Duterte

The former Philippine leader has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

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International Criminal Court

Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

He has long insisted he instructed police to kill only in self-defence and has always defended the drug crackdown.

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South China Sea

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

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UK Labour Party

Letters | How sincere is Labour’s narrative of compassion on the BN(O) pathway?

Readers discuss a route for Hongkongers wishing to acquire British citizenship, the US-Philippine military alliance, and a mass shooting in Canada.

A cyclist rides past the Elizabeth Tower, known as Big Ben, in London, on January 23. Photo: AP
Corruption in Asia

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

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Protesters wearing face masks depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice President Sara Duterte take part in an anti-corruption rally in Manila in November. Photo: AFP
China trade

As high-speed railways saturate China, how far can their global reach extend?

As Chinese giants eye Eurasia for new infrastructure, analysts speculate on what it will take to keep overseas projects from going off the rails in different host nations.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Families of Philippine drug war victims seek ICC justice as Duterte trial looms

A hearing that begins in The Hague on Monday will determine whether the ex-president will stand trial over at least 76 of those deaths.

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Scams and swindles

Water prisons, torture: UN urges crackdown on brutal Southeast Asia scam centres

The agency’s latest report documents torture, sexual abuse, forced abortions, food deprivation and solitary confinement in the centres.

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A Thai soldier keeps guard outside a closed scam centre in O’Smach, Cambodia, on February 2. Photo: AP
South China Sea

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.

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A US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, fires during the Balikatan joint military exercises at a naval station in Zambales province, northern Philippines, on April 26, 2023. Photo: AP
China’s coastguard

Chinese coastguard reveals growing reliance on drones at Scarborough Shoal

Lunar New Year post gives rare look at the role of uncrewed aircraft in training and operations near disputed South China Sea reef.

Japan

‘Knowing your friend’: Japan to join US-Philippines drills for first time

Australia also joins the fray as the US and its allies shift away from simple bilateral deals towards tighter regional security networks.

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