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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.
Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters protest against his arrest in Davao City, Philippines, on March 11. Photo: Reuters
Rodrigo Duterte

‘My prayers answered’: anger and relief in Philippines over Duterte’s arrest

Experts say the ex-president’s chances of avoiding ICC prosecution are slim as supporters take to the streets to protest his arrest.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Explainer | Duterte is set to enter ICC detention. Here’s what awaits him

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Rodrigo Duterte

Ex-president Duterte arrested in Philippines

SCMP Highlights

Nepal’s China-built airport, North Korea’s hackers using AI: 7 Asia highlights

From an Indian summit devolving into food fight to Nepal’s China-built airport, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

North Korean hackers have already demonstrated how effective AI can be in furthering their schemes. Photo: Shutterstock
Rodrigo Duterte

Is ICC arrest of Philippines’ Duterte the death knell for his political dynasty?

Analysts say President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s decision to cooperate with the ICC’s arrest warrant is a strategic move aimed at neutralising his rival.

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Hong Kong politics

Ex-Philippine leader Duterte has made headlines in Hong Kong many times before

Former leader sparked media frenzy with speech at rally with vice-president daughter, but he has made the news on several previous visits.

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International Criminal Court

How Philippines’ Duterte responds to potential ICC arrest could shape midterms

Duterte says he is ready to face arrest, but analysts warn a warrant could threaten his and his family’s political fortunes.

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Former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte speaks inside the Southorn Stadium during a thanksgiving gathering organised by Hong Kong-based Filipino workers in Hong Kong on March 9. Photo: AP
Hong Kong economy

Poll reveals which Hong Kong products are winning over Asean online shoppers

Consumers from Thailand, Indonesia lead in buying products from city, while Singapore respondents have highest spend per purchase.

Asia travel

Visiting the Philippines’ Ifugao people and their mountain rice terraces

A remote mountain trek with indigenous rice farmers shows another side of the island nation better known for its beaches.

Hong Kong politics

Duterte tells Filipinos in Hong Kong he never committed crimes against humanity

Ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte delivers fiery speech amid speculation over whether International Criminal Court will issue arrest warrant.

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Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is the subject of an ICC investigation into his controversial anti-drug campaign. Photo: Sam Tsang
Legacy of war in Asia

Philippine documentary rekindles memories of terror during World War II

Survivors of the 1945 Battle of Manila recount in ‘Children of the War’ how they escaped ‘mass executions’ during the Japanese occupation.

During Manila’s liberation from the Japanese by American and Filipino forces in World War II, the Japanese destroyed most of the city south of the Pasig River. Photo: Corbis via Getty Images
South China Sea

Philippines sends ‘Angels’ to ease China sea tensions with words not weapons

‘A woman’s patience, composure and the ability to respond or to communicate with empathy makes us unique,’ a member of the Angels of the Sea team says.

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South China Sea

Philippines to sign visiting forces deal with Canada to boost military ties

The deal will be the latest security pact in the face of the Philippines’ increasingly tense confrontations with China.

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US-China relations

What are Filipinos most worried about? US-China trade war, survey says

Seven in 10 respondents say they fear the trade conflict would affect livelihoods.

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A person holds a Philippine flag at a rally marking the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25. Photo: EPA-EFE
Defence

Is the Philippines air force prepared? FA-50 fatal crash raises questions

The grounding of the remaining FA-50 jets has raised concerns about airspace vulnerability and prompted calls for quicker military modernisation.

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A FA-50 fighter jet is parked on the tarmac at a Philippine airbase in Angeles City, Pampanga province. Photo: AFP
Crime

Contradictions emerge as Philippine officials probe Alice Guo’s mysterious escape

One senator called for a total revamp of the Bureau of Immigration if it failed to provide ‘satisfactory answers’ about Guo’s escape.

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Chinese tourists

Chinese arrivals to Philippines rise despite Pogos ban, bilateral row

The number of Chinese tourists rose 20 per cent to above 500,000 last year, according to the Philippine immigration bureau’s data.

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South China Sea

Philippines ready to fight if China restricts flights in South China Sea

Philippines defence secretary warns that country will take action against China’s increasing aggression in the disputed waters.

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An aerial view of the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters
Aviation accidents

‘A total wreck’: lost Philippine fighter jet found smashed into mountainside

The FA-50 fighter jet went missing on Tuesday while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting communist rebels.

Diplomacy

Opinion | Why US allies in Europe and Asia are ‘de-risking’ from Trump

Collective bargaining may be the only defence against his flirtation with rival superpowers, protectionist policies and transactionalist diplomacy.

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South China Sea

Philippines adds 2 new warships in naval upgrade, but strategic doubts remain

The South Korean-built guided missile frigates have anti-submarine and anti-aircraft capabilities.

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The BRP Miguel Malvar at its initial launch ceremony in Ulsan, South Korea, on June 18, 2024. Photo: Department of Defence
Trending in China

‘Not up for debate’: why Filipinos are hitting back at Chinese internet users

A number of Chinese social media users claim Palawan was originally called Zheng He Island and that its name has been ‘restored’.

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A Philippine soldier guards a US military hovercraft during an annual bilateral military exercise in May last year in San Vicente, Palawan Province, the Philippines. Photo: Kyodo
Defence

Philippine jet goes missing fighting communist insurgents

The FA-50 jet lost communication during a tactical mission over a southern province at around midnight on Monday.

Espionage

Philippines investigates China-linked donations from suspected spies

As allegations of espionage swirl, Philippine authorities aim to uncover the true intentions behind the donations to local officials.

United States

Philippine ambassador warns defence treaty with US may not be ironclad

The comments by Jose Manuel Romualdez come after a row between Trump and Zelensky rattles the confidence of Washington’s defence partners.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, accompanied by a US soldier, inspects a high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) before a live fire exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, in 2023. Photo: AFP
China-Asean relations

Zelensky-Trump clash sparks Asean jitters over reliability of US commitments

Each nation in the bloc has different needs and ties with US and China, posing tests for non-alignment, analysts say.

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On February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and US President Donald Trump failed to reach a deal after a fiery exchange. The clash has given allies and other nations cause to mull their relationships with the US. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/TNS
Weather

‘We were surprised’: early heatwave shuts schools in Philippines capital

Officials closed schools in nearly half of Metro Manila on Monday, affecting tens of thousands of students.

Asean

Philippines’ push for Asean-wide prisoner transfer treaty: will it spur reforms?

While such an agreement may help in the rehabilitation process, problems of overcrowding and other chronic issues still remain, analysts say.

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