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.
last updated:
29 November, 2024
Chinese national Deng Yuanqing (middle) with an unidentified Filipino companion in handcuffs escorted to the Department of Justice office in Manila on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
South China Sea

Philippines’ arrest of Chinese ‘sleeper agent’ sparks fears of widespread spying

A group comprising Deng Yuanqing and two Filipinos is accused of spying on Philippine military bases, including where US troops have access.

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South China Sea

‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea resupply deal

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South China Sea

How quiet US-Philippine South China Sea drills sent ‘a clear message’

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

In Catholic Philippines, President Marcos vows to veto ‘woke’ sex education bill

The bill, which Marcos said teaches 4-year-olds about pleasuring themselves aims to address high teen pregnancy rates, has been met with opposition by conservatives.

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Opinion | How Trump could upend South China Sea calculations all round

Trump’s transactional diplomacy risks complicating the hedging of stakeholders from Philippines to Vietnam, and adding unpredictability for China.

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South China Sea

What the Philippines’ bid for a UN Security Council seat means for China

Manila would be able to raise South China Sea-related issues that could ‘embarrass’ Beijing and nudge it into a compromise, analysts say.

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Asean

Malaysia calls for Myanmar ceasefire as Asean pushes for peace talks

The bloc also pressed for progress on a South China Sea code of conduct, aiming to address Beijing’s assertiveness in the region.

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An Asean logo is displayed at the venue, ahead of the Foreign Ministers Meeting on Langkawi Island, state of Kedah, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
Infrastructure

Asian Angle | Manila must put brakes on car-centric policies, seek viable transport solutions

Manila is the world’s most congested city, and car-centric government policies, combined with insufficient investment in public transport, are making things worse.

South China Sea

Taiwan and Philippines try to figure out how to navigate the return of Trump

Manila and Taipei, facing PLA confrontations, may need to depend less on the US and appeal to Trump’s transactional nature, analysts say.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Chace Crawford’s rumoured new fling, Filipina model Kelsey Merritt

Chace Crawford is rumoured to be dating Victoria’s Secret model Kelsey Merritt – so what do we know about the 28-year-old who modelled to pay her way through university in the Philippines?

Is Chace Crawford dating model Kelsey Merritt? Photos: @kelseymerritt, @chacecrawford/Instagram
Insurance

Hong Kong life insurance bonanza driven by local buying; overseas buyers rise

New life insurance sales in the first nine months of 2024 stood at HK$169.6 billion (US$21.8 billion), the highest since the authority set up in 2016.

Insurance sales agents approach mainland tourists in Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui on 20 February 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee
South China Sea

Philippines turns to US firms for sea oil drills as China tensions persist

Companies explore oil and gas projects in the country’s deep waters as Manila seeks to diversify its energy sources.

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Energy

Philippines flags security concerns about Chinese stake in power grid operator

Lawmakers revive fears of ‘kill switch’ to power grid amid concerns about limited skill transfers to Filipinos and lack of operational transparency.

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Donald Trump

Did Trump snub Philippines’ Marcos by not inviting him to his inauguration?

Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy in doubt after president-elect personally invited Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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A November 7 newspaper in Manila shows Trump’s win. The Philippine capital was abuzz earlier this month with talk about President Marcos Jnr’s exclusion from Trump’s swearing-in. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Beijing and Manila vow further South China Sea talks despite ‘monster ship’ row

Latest discussions come days after the Philippines accused China of encroaching on its exclusive economic zone near Scarborough Shoal.

Manila accused China’s “monster” coastguard ship of encroaching on its exclusive economic zone. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s Alice Guo probe spotlights ‘domino effect’ of transnational crime

Zhang Jie, one of Guo’s alleged associates, is a Singaporean national who purportedly helped in her escape from the Philippines last year.

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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr

Philippines’ Marcos faces inner circle rift over VP Duterte’s impeachment calls

The president’s calls to dismiss impeachment proceedings against his deputy have intensified political tensions and public rallies.

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China-Philippines relations

Opinion | Manila and Beijing can still choose cooperation over conflict

While violent clashes and bilateral disputes between Manila and Beijing have reached new heights, so can economic engagement.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
United States

Marcos tells Kamala Harris he hopes for ‘strong’ US-Philippines ties under Trump

Many in the Philippines are wary about the future of its relationship with the US as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Asean

Youthful optimism: how Southeast Asian students view their economic futures

Students in six regional countries are hopeful for the future, but worry about corruption, inequality and unemployment, a new survey shows.

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South China Sea

Manila warns ‘all options on table’ after Chinese patrol in disputed waters

A Chinese coastguard ship patrolled Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday pushing the Philippines ‘to the wall’, and prompting Manila to consider international lawsuits.

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A Chinese Coastguard ship sails in the South China Sea. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP
Japan

From war to partnership: Japan-Philippines troop deployment pact edges closer

Observers have speculated that Shigeru Ishiba’s government might be delaying ratification to avoid antagonising China.

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Japanese soldiers take part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima prefecture, in 2023. Photo: Reuters
Asia travel

Why Amanpulo is the ultimate A-listers’ resort in the Philippines

On a private island that requires a private flight to reach, Amanpulo epitomises the best of the Aman brand, with a unique, secluded location and a simple approach to luxury.

Rodrigo Duterte

Meet the poor Filipinos living in Manila’s cemetery for the rich

The final resting places for the most affluent in Manila have become a last resort for the city’s poorest looking for a home.

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Rodrigo Duterte

‘Locked in a death match’: will the Philippines’ Dutertes survive 2025?

With Marcos Jnr’s purge of Sara Duterte and her father from the National Security Council, their high-stakes feud enters a pivotal new phase.

Protesters carry effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte during a demonstration in Manila last year. Photo: AFP
Poverty

Living among the dead in a Manila cemetery

Thousands of Manila’s poorest eke out a living by hawking goods and cleaning tombs while living atop mausoleums in the Philippine capital’s oldest cemetery

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South China Sea

Philippines starts Spratly Islands upgrades after months of tension with China

The improvements, including a longer airstrip on Thitu Island, will help boost Manila’s military presence in the South China Sea.

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Malaysia

Tariffs, turmoil and Trump: untangling Malaysia’s Asean chair to-do list

Can Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic finesse help Malaysia steer Asean through the storm of rising trade tensions and regional crises?

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