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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.
A US Navy drone parks beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines last year. Photo: AP
Singapore

How Singapore’s weaponised drone trials could fuel Southeast Asian tensions

As Southeast Asian militaries adopt cheap, lethal systems, experts warn a lack of established rules could prove dangerous.

China-Russia relations

China and Russia warn US Golden Dome poses ‘clear threat’ to stability

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Rodrigo Duterte

Philippines’ top court rejects Dela Rosa’s bid to block ICC arrest warrant

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Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine Senate guards investigated for firing shots as fugitive senator fled

The officer identified as firing the first shot was a classmate of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who escaped in the chaos.

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Military personnel enter the Philippine Senate building where Senator Ronald dela Rosa is under protective custody on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Philippine navy’s ‘aspirational’ middle power claim comes under scrutiny

The navy based its assessment partly on regional partners admiring its newer ships that were deployed in recent joint exercises.

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Japan

More than a missile? Why the Philippines wants Japan’s old Type 88

Manila’s military already operates superior weapons, but analysts say Tokyo’s Cold War-era hardware still has something to offer.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Joint energy security is easy to endorse in principle, yet the bloc has a stubborn record of leaving its emergency frameworks untouched.

Oil tankers and cargo ships are seen at the oil depot and container terminal of Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 31. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
SCMP Highlights

Singaporeans’ work ethic, South Korea’s AI ‘goddess’: 7 Asia highlights

From Southeast Asia’s climate hazards to South Korea’s AI ‘baseball goddess’, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Taiwan

Beijing rebukes Manila over claim proximity will involve it in Taiwan conflict

Chinese embassy staff in the Philippines visit 69 Chinese workers detained during police raid.

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Rodrigo Duterte

How Philippine Senate leadership battle will shape Sara Duterte’s trial

The vice-president’s impeachment trial starts amid chaos in the Senate from leadership battles and the fallout from her father’s ICC case.

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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio announces her intention to run for presidency on February 18. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Chinese scientists land on Sandy Cay as tensions with Philippines spike again

Manila says it sent a plane over the South China Sea reef in an effort to ‘drive away’ those carrying out ‘unauthorised’ research activity.

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The Philippine coastguard says it spotted a Chinese research vessel accompanied by two coastguard ships. Photo: X/jaytaryela
Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine lawyers support ICC arrest warrant for fugitive senator

Senator Ronald dela Rosa is wanted for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his overseeing former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody ‘war on drugs’.

China-Asean relations

Asian Angle | China offers Southeast Asia clear advantages in nuclear power

With its experience in exporting nuclear reactors, China can offer long-term energy security and technological upgrades.

Infrastructure

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

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Containers at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines. Development of the Luzon Economic Corridor will involve eight more countries. Photo: AP
The Netherlands

Gunfire, farce and fugitive Philippine Senator Bato dela Rosa

‘Call me a coward’, ICC fugitive Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa told the cameras, as he holed up in the Senate in a bid to escape justice.

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A protester holds a placard of Philippine Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during a rally calling for his arrest outside the Senate on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

‘I got really scared’: how the Philippine Senate shoot-out unfolded

Witnesses recount a night of chaos unleashed during an attempt to arrest ICC-wanted Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

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Asean

Canada pushes to finalise Asean trade deal to cut US reliance

Ottawa is keen to sign an FTA with Asean this year, as analysts predict two-way growth in sectors ranging from mining to manufacturing.

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Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine senator wanted by ICC flees from Senate

Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired on Wednesday night.

Philippines Senator Ronald Dela Rosa attends a plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines on Monday. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

The trend in defence is for civilian infrastructure that can be rapidly adapted for military use during contingencies, experts say.

US-China relations

Typhon launch of Tomahawk missile is ‘worst provocation’ by the US against China

Observers suggest strong countermeasures after the first live-firing of the system since its deployment to the Philippines.

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United States

A year after USAID cuts, Philippine development groups struggle as anger lingers

An investigation by several regional media outlets shows USAID was a target of misinformation after Trump froze aid from the agency.

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People protest in Washington in February last year against the administration of US President Donald Trump’s decision to virtually shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Photo: AFP
Rodrigo Duterte

Who is dela Rosa, the ICC-wanted lawmaker holed up in the Philippine Senate?

The ex-police chief, accused by the ICC of crimes in Duterte’s drug war, is evading arrest over the bloody campaign that killed thousands.

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People call for the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa during a protest outside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

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International Criminal Court

Gunshots fired in stand-off at Philippine Senate over ICC suspect

Chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

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Hong Kong transport

HK Express cuts surcharge by 12.8% as fuel prices ease amid Mideast war

Adjustment follows similar moves by Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, which have both announced reductions in fuel surcharges.

Hong Kong Express counters at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Eugene Lee
Singapore

Strong international sea laws ‘vital’ for small nations like Singapore: Wong

The prime minister warns of a direct impact on Singapore’s trade if the international law framework is weakened.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum held at the Singapore Management University on Wednesday. Photo: Jacky Ho for SGLaw200
South China Sea

Philippines pitches Asean maritime hub despite ‘big red elephant in the room’

Can a Philippine-led maritime hub succeed? Observers say the plan touches on a dispute other members are loath to broach.

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Climate change

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

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