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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 person dangles from a drone in this still from footage obtained by Korean broadcaster JTBC allegedly showing a practice run for Park Wang-yeol’s escape. Photo: YouTube/JTBC_News
SCMP Highlights

South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Duterte trial looms: 7 Asia highlights

From Singaporean minister’s Mandarin diplomacy to Indonesia’s Whoosh debt burden, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Fashion Asia Hong Kong 2026 explores the future of design

US-China relations

Opinion | Success of Trump-Xi summit lies in what happens afterwards

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Canada

Southeast Asia supports multilateralism, wary of US or China leadership: survey

A recent Rockefeller Foundation survey shows strong regional belief in global cooperation and a reluctance to accept superpower dominance.

The ASEAN flag flies alongside the flags of member countries ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Easy access to family guns fuels Philippines’ school shootings

Three fatal attacks since June have been traced back to state-linked weapons, exposing fatal flaws in official gun control.

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United States

‘Listen to us’: Philippines tribe vows to stand ground against US-led Pax Silica

The Aetas have been offered just 50 US cents per square metre of land to make way for the sprawling tech hub. All have refused.

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Thailand

Upgraded but underperforming: Philippines’ growth lags behind

High living costs and delayed public works drag growth projections down far behind regional front runners.

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People cross a road in Manila, the Philippines, on September 8. Photo: EPA
People walk past a peanut vendor in Manila, the Philippines, on September 8. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong secures expanded equal treatment and investment guarantees across Asean

Hong Kong authorities say signing of the protocol will bring legal certainty, enhance the investment environment and boost investment flows.

Ethnic minorities in Hong Kong

Video | Hong Kong’s Filipino domestic helpers get second chance at university degree

NGO FullPhils was established in 2023, offering overseas Filipino workers a tertiary education to boost their career prospects.

Asia travel

Escape Manila’s heat for northern Luzon’s pine-scented hills and Sagada’s hanging coffins

They may not make for a typical Philippine holiday, but the highlands of northern Luzon are a world apart from Manila and the tropical lowlands, finds Thomas Bird

The city of Baguio, on Luzon island, in the Philippines, was favoured by American administrators for its climate. Photo: Thomas Bird
US, Israel war on Iran

Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test

Experts say the loss will hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.

A satellite image shows a closer view of the damage at the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, located across the Arabian Peninsula, after a strike that hit it on September 11. Photo: Vantor/Handout via Reuters

Video | Three killed in Philippines school shootin

The attack marks the third Philippine school shooting since June.

South China Sea

Collision near Sabina Shoal sparks fresh escalation between China, Philippines

Two sides blame each other for deliberate ramming near the contested atoll in the South China Sea, fuelling tensions over strategic waterway.

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International Criminal Court

Why the ICC is cracking down on ‘fake news’ as Duterte trial looms

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner warns parties to ‘avoid speculation’ and urges prosecutors to trim their witness list and evidence.

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The Philippines’ former president Rodrigo Duterte attends a preparatory session at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Crime

3 students killed in Philippine school shooting, including gunman

The attack at Banga National ‌High School ‌in South ‌Cotabato also left eight others injured.

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Emergency personnel walk at the site of a deadly shooting at a school in Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines, on Friday. Photo: Philippine Red Cross via Reuters
SCMP Highlights

China opens Pinglu Canal; Hong Kong unveils first 5-year plan: 7 highlights

From Chinese defence chief’s forum speech to a Beijing Hyrox athlete’s faecal row, here are top stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

South China Sea

Filipino fishers count the cost of South China Sea dispute

Blocked from accessing Scarborough Shoal and hit by local dredging, Zambales fishermen say their weekly incomes have collapsed.

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Russia

Poland eyes deeper Philippines defence ties following Black Hawk deal

Warsaw is targeting drones, air defence and artillery exports to Manila as European rearmament fuels global arms ambitions.

A Philippine Air Force officer speaking during the acceptance ceremony for the seven and last batch of S-70i Black Hawk helicopters at Villamor air force base in Manila in August. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China edges US, EU on AI regulation trust in middle-income countries: Pew survey

US think tank study finds middle-income countries have ‘more positive views of China’ when it comes to regulating AI effectively.

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Taiwan

Taipei donates coastguard vessel to Manila amid South China Sea tensions

As it faces off against Beijing in the region, Manila has been expanding its unofficial security cooperation with Taipei.

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South China Sea

Philippines’ Teodoro draws 2028 election buzz after China clash

His viral moment in Seoul has raised his profile among supporters, but analysts say weak polling and past losses remain hurdles.

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Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr responds to a note during the Seoul Defence Dialogue 2026 on September 8. Photo: X/Philippine Department of National Defence
South Korea

Video | South Korean drug lord’s jailbreak plan foiled

The plan was reportedly set to be carried out earlier this year, just before Park Wang-yeol was to be repatriated to South Korea to face charges for allegedly importing 4.8kg (10.5lbs) of drugs.

South Korean drug lord’s jailbreak plan foiled
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Central banks

Casino, not bakery: Philippine e-payment firms urged to improve merchant vetting

The central bank found thousands of payments of as little as 80 US cents being made to generally unremarkable merchants past midnight.

John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong launching pilot scheme to bring in foreign carers for the elderly

Chief Executive John Lee says in policy address that the government will admit carers under a scheme modelled on domestic helper regime.

South China Sea

Chinese research ship completes month-long mission near Scarborough Shoal

The vessel surveyed the geology and environment of a South China Sea feature claimed by Beijing and Manila.

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The Haiyang Dizhi Shihao spent a month surveying the waters near Scarborough Shoal. Photo: CCTV
South China Sea

Should Beijing use its maritime militia as backup force in South China Sea?

On the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum, a leading Chinese researcher says there could be a role for the vessels at critical moments.

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A China Coast Guard ship (right) uses a water cannon on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel near Scarborough Shoal in 2023. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard vias AFP
South Korea

South Korean killer’s drone escape from Philippine prison foiled by test footage

Convicted killer Park Wang-yeol reportedly spent some US$74,000 on his planned drone-assisted prison break.

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India

‘Growing stronger’: India and Russia push to expand defence ties

Analysts say offers of Su-57 stealth jet tech and BrahMos upgrades signal an exit from simple buyer-seller deals.

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