Indonesia arrests a fugitive former Filipino town mayor wanted for illegal online gaming scams
A dismissed town mayor who fled the Philippines after being accused of helping establish an illegal online gaming and scam center catering to clients in China has been arrested near Indonesiaโs capital.
Hundreds of police raid a religious compound in search of Filipino preacher wanted for child abuse
Hundreds of police, backed by riot squads, have raided a vast religious compound in a southern Philippine city in search of a local preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Philippines to host a US visa processing center for up to 300 Afghans resettling in America
The Philippines has agreed to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for a limited number of Afghan nationals aspiring to resettle in America.
Amid global turmoil Blinken aims to ease anxiety over US election on 6-nation Asia tour
With large parts of the world in turmoil and deep uncertainty over the future direction of Americaโs global role, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought this week to project an aura of calm normalcy as he traveled through Asia on his first overseas mission since President Joe Biden jolted the 2024 presidential race with his withdrawal.
US boosts alliance with the Philippines with $500 million funding and pact amid concern over China
Washington officials in Manila have announced $500 million in funding to boost Philippine defenses and progress in a proposed military intelligence-sharing pact amid shared concerns over China's increasingly aggressive actions in the region.
China issues rare praise to Philippine president for his ban on Chinese online gambling operators
China has issued a rare compliment to the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his order banning widespread and Chinese-run online gaming operations.
Philippine president orders shutdown of Chinese-run online gambling industry employing thousands
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate ban on the mostly Chinese-run online gaming operations in the country.
New deal establishes a hotline Chinese and Philippine presidents can use to stop clashes at sea
A recently signed agreement will open a direct line of communication between presidential offices of China and the Philippines to help prevent any new confrontation from spiraling out of control in the disputed South China Sea.
Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China
Japan and the Philippines have signed a defense pact allowing Japanese forces to deploy in the Southeast Asian country for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills.
Philippines says it won't back down, but won't start a war, after clash with Chinese Coast Guard
The president of the Philippines says his country will not yield to โany foreign powerโ after Chinese forces injured Filipino navy personnel and damaged at least two military boats with machetes, axes and hammers in a clash in the disputed South China Sea, but added the Philippines will never instigate a war.
A growing Filipino diaspora means plenty of celebration worldwide for Philippine Independence Day
In the Philippines, where colonial rule under Spain and later the United States endured for nearly four centuries, June 12 is the real Independence Day.
Zelenskyy in Manila to promote peace summit, which he says China and Russia are trying to undermine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with the Philippine president on a rare Asian trip to urge regional leaders to attend a Swiss-organized peace summit on the war in Ukraine that he accuses Russia, with Chinaโs help, of trying to undermine.
Chinese defense minister accuses US of causing friction with its support for Taiwan and Philippines
Chinaโs defense minister has acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines.
US defense secretary says war with China neither imminent nor unavoidable, stressing need for talks
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has told a gathering of top security officials he doesnโt see war with China as imminent, nor unavoidable, despite rapidly escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
Top US and Chinese defense officials seek to restore communications as tensions rise in Indo-Pacific
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with his Chinese counterpart as the two countries seek to repair lines of communications between their militaries that could be critical as tensions continue to rise between them in the Indo-Pacific region.
Philippines says it will forge security alliances and stage combat drills despite China's opposition
The Philippine defense secretary says it will continue to build security alliances and stage joint combat drills in disputed waters to defend its territorial interests.
US and Philippine forces sink a ship during largescale drills in the disputed South China Sea
U.S. and Philippine forces, backed by an Australian air force surveillance aircraft, have unleashed a barrage of high-precision rockets, artillery fire and airstrikes and sank a mock enemy ship as part of largescale war drills in and near the disputed South China Sea that have antagonized Beijing.
Commerce Department announces new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports
The Commerce Department is announcing new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports in an effort to prevent the guns from ending up in the hands of drug traffickers and criminals in other nations.
US and Philippine forces launch combat drills in the disputed South China Sea
American and Filipino forces have launched their largest combat exercises in years in a show of allied firepower that will include joint sails with the French navy and a ship-sinking drill near the disputed South China Sea that has alarmed Beijing.
Philippines' Marcos says 'not one person died' as police make huge drug bust, in dig at predecessor
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says police have seized the largest haul of methamphetamine in the country in years without anybody being killed, in a subtle criticism of his predecessorโs notoriously deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.
US and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea
The Biden administration is again reassuring the Philippines the U.S. commitment to the islandsโ defense is steadfast amid increasing concerns about provocative Chinese actions in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Biden heads to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about taxes
President Joe Biden is headed to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about who he believes should be paying more in taxes and who should be paying less.
Biden administration announces another round of loan cancellation under new repayment plan
The Biden administration is canceling student loans for another 206,000 borrowers as part of a new repayment plan that offers a faster route to forgiveness.
Philippine president warns of countermeasures in response to Chinese aggression at sea
The Philippine president says his government will take action against what he called dangerous attacks by the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships in the disputed South China Sea, saying, โFilipinos do not yield.โ.
Blinken underscores 'ironclad' support for the Philippines as it clashes with China in disputed sea
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has underscored Washingtonโs โironclad commitmentโ to help defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack against its forces.
Biden to host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos for White House summit
President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month.
The Philippines says it won't let China remove a Filipino military outpost on a disputed shoal
The Philippine navy says it will not allow China to remove a Philippine military outpost in a fiercely disputed South China Sea shoal where four Filipino navy personnel were injured in a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine ships.
China and Myanmar likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia
An increasingly assertive China and a humanitarian crisis in Myanmar are likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia for a rare summit this week.
Philippine president tells Australia their strategic partnership is more important than ever
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has told Australiaโs Parliament that the strategic partnership between the two nations is more important than ever with the rule of law and peace in the region under threat from China.
Germany ready to help de-escalate tensions in disputed South China Sea, its foreign minister says
Germanyโs top diplomat says Chinaโs actions in the South China Sea violate the rights of Asian coastal states like the Philippines and threaten freedom of navigation, but adds that the territorial disputes have to be resolved peacefully because โthe world doesnโt need another crisis.โ.
The US and the Philippines conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea not far from Taiwan
The United States and the Philippines are conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which come as the two countries step up cooperation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.
Marcos says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls closer to coast of the Philippines
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr_ says the situation for his nation in the South China Sea โhas become more dire.โ.
US and Philippines sign a nuclear cooperation pact allowing US investment and technologies
The United States and the Philippines have signed a nuclear cooperation pact under which U.S. investment and technologies are to help the Southeast Asian nation transition to cleaner energy and bolster its power supply.
Live updates | More Palestinians fleeing combat zone in northern Gaza, UN says
The pace of Palestinian civilians fleeing the combat zone in northern Gaza has picked up as Israelโs air and ground campaign there intensifies.
40 Filipinos flee war-ravaged Gaza Strip through Rafah crossing and arrive in Egypt
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says 40 Filipinos have fled from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into Egypt through the Rafah crossing after Filipino diplomats negotiated for their safe passage and Qatar mediated for the border to be opened.
A Philippine radio anchor is fatally shot while on Facebook livestream watched by followers
A radio anchor has been fatally shot by a man inside his southern Philippine station in a brazen attack that was witnessed by people watching the program live on Facebook.
Japan and Philippine leaders agree to negotiate defense pact and boost ties amid China's aggression
The leaders of Japan and the Philippines have agreed to start negotiations for a key defense pact that will allow their troops to enter each otherโs territory for joint military exercises.
US renews warning it will defend Philippines after incidents with Chinese vessels in South China Sea
The United States has renewed a warning that it would defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack after Chinese ships blocked and collided with two Filipino vessels in the South China Sea.
China's premier is on a charm offensive as ASEAN summit protests Beijing's aggression at sea
In talks with Southeast Asian leaders Wednesday in the Indonesian capital, Chinese Premier Li Qiang underscored his countryโs importance as the worldโs second-biggest economy and as the top trading partner of the region.
Myanmar won't be allowed to lead Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2026, in blow to generals
Myanmar wonโt take over the rotating leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as scheduled in 2026, in the latest blow to efforts by its ruling generals to gain international recognition after violently seizing power in 2021.
Philippine president suspends 22 land reclamation projects in Manila Bay after US airs concerns
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an indefinite suspension of 22 major land reclamation projects in Manila Bay to allow a study of their environmental impact and legal compliance.
Philippines considering US request to host visa processing center for Afghans despite concerns
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says a request for his country to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for thousands of Afghans faces security and other concerns but is still being considered by his administration.
Students meet under trees as schools shelter villagers displaced by Philippine volcano
Nearly 20,000 people have fled from an erupting volcano in the Philippines and are sheltering in schools, disrupting the education of thousands of students.
Philippine volcano eruption that displaced thousands may last for months, officials warn
A gentle eruption of the Philippinesโ most active volcano has forced nearly 18,000 people to flee to emergency shelters and may create a protracted crisis that could last for months.
Philippines evacuates people near Mayon Volcano, where more unrest indicates eruption may be coming
The Philippines is evacuating residents near Mayon Volcano as its increasing unrest indicated a violent eruption is possible in weeks or days.
Guam 'very blessed' with no early reports of major damage in the messy aftermath of Typhoon Mawar
Residents of Guam are cleaning up after Typhoon Mawar tore through the remote U.S. Pacific territory and ripped roofs off homes, flipped vehicles and shredded trees.
Biden: US-Philippines 'ironclad' partners amid China tension
President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippinesโ security and noted the โdeep friendshipโ of the two nations as he met with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House as concerns grow about the Chinese navyโs harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
US, Filipino forces show firepower at sea amid China tension
American and Filipino forces sank a ship with a barrage of high-precision rockets, airstrikes and artillery in their largest war drills in Philippine waters facing the disputed South China Sea which are likely antagonize China.
China's FM holds talks in Philippines amid strained ties
Chinaโs foreign minister says his country is willing to work with the Philippines to resolve their differences, as tensions rise over Beijingโs behavior in the disputed South China Sea and Manilaโs deeping military cooperation with the U.S. Foreign Minister Qin Gang held talks in Manila with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo.
Biden to host Marcos for talks at White House next month
President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks at the White House next month as the two countries look to continue to tighten relations.
US displays firepower in combat drills with Philippines
U.S. and Filipino forces have blasted vehicles with anti-tank missiles in combat-readiness drills in the Philippines that are part of a show of American firepower that has alarmed China.
US, Philippines hold largest war drills near disputed waters
American and Filipino forces have launched their largest combat exercises in decades in Philippine waters across the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, where Washington has warned China over its increasingly aggressive actions.
Philippines names 4 new camps for US forces amid China fury
The Philippine government has identified four new military camps, including some across the sea from Taiwan, where rotating batches of American forces will be allowed to be stationed indefinitely despite strong objections from China.
Marcos: China laser not enough to activate US defense pact
The Philippine president says the Chinese coast guardโs use of military-grade laser against a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense treaty with the United States.
Philippine court voids oil exploration pact involving China
The Philippine Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional a 2005 pact by China, the Philippines and Vietnam to jointly explore for oil in the disputed South China Sea.
Philippine police chief offers to quit over drug-linked cops
The Philippine national police chief says he has tendered his resignation to encourage nearly a thousand other police officials to heed an official appeal for them to resign en masse to regain public trust after some enforcers were implicated in drug trafficking.
Philippines protesters decry alleged injustices under Marcos
Hundreds of people have marched in the Philippine capital protesting what they say is a rising number of extrajudicial killings and other injustices under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The protesters, led by the rights groups alliance Karapatan, gathered at a public square on Saturday before marching toward the presidential palace in Manila to demand justice for victims.
US VP Harris flying to Philippine island near disputed sea
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will fly to a western Philippine island province at the edge of the South China Sea to amplify Americaโs support to its treaty ally and underline U.S. interest in freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.
Philippine prisons chief charged in journalist's killing
Philippine authorities have filed murder complaints against the countryโs top prisons official and an aide, accusing them of masterminding the killing of a radio commentator.
Strong quake injures dozens, shuts north Philippine airport
Officials say a strong earthquake has rocked a large swath of the northern Philippines, injuring at least 36 people, forcing the closure of an international airport and prompting the evacuation of patients in a hospital.
Philippines to buy US aircraft after scrapping Russia deal
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr_ has backed a decision by his predecessor to cancel a contract to buy 16 Russian military heavy-lift helicopters and says his administration has โsecured an alternative supply from the United States.โ.
US firepower showcased in Philippine joint combat drills
Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as Chinaโs growing aggression.
Philippine ex-senator briefly held hostage in jail rampage
Philippine police have killed three detained militants linked to the Islamic State group after they stabbed a jail officer and briefly held a detained former opposition senator in a failed escape attempt at the police headquarters in the capital region.
Motorcycle-riding gunmen kill Philippine radio commentator
Motorcycle-riding gunmen have killed a longtime radio commentator in metropolitan Manila in the latest attack on a member of the media in the Philippines, considered one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.
Typhoon heroes: 5 Filipino rescuers drown in flooded village
Typhoon Noru has left a trail of destruction in northern Philippine provinces with at least eight people dead, including a group of rescuers who were scrambling to save villagers trapped in floodwaters.
Biden seeks closer ties with Philippines after 'rocky' past
President Joe Biden has pledged in his first face-to-face meeting with new Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to work to strengthen relations with the key Pacific nation after what he acknowledged had been some โrocky timesโ in the past.
Philippines ending compulsory mask wearing outdoors
Philippine officials say President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a recommendation to end the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors across the country more than two years after it was imposed at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
US lawmakers meet detained Philippine opposition leader
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, who was once banned from the Philippines by former President Rodrigo Duterte, has met a long-detained Filipino opposition leader, whom he says was wrongfully imprisoned under Duterte and should be freed.
Blinken: China should not hold global concerns 'hostage'
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says China should not hold talks on important global matters such as the climate crisis โhostage,โ after Beijing cut off contacts with Washington in retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosiโs visit to Taiwan earlier this week.
Man opens fire on Philippine campus, killing 3 people
Philippine police say a gunman opened fire on university campus in the Philippine capital region, killing a former town mayor and two others in a brazen attack ahead of a graduation ceremony.
Ressa says Philippine courts to decide Rappler closure order
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa says her Rappler news website is operating as usual and will let Philippine courts decide on an order to close the outlet.
Duterte's daughter takes oath as Philippine vice president
Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing populist president of the Philippines, has taken her oath as vice president following a landslide electoral victory she clinched despite her fatherโs human rights record that saw thousands of drug suspects gunned down.
US official meets Marcos in Philippines in diplomatic push
A top State Department official has met with Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, part of an ongoing diplomatic outreach in the Asia-Pacific region by Washington to try and blunt growing Chinese influence.
Marcos Jr proclaimed next Philippine president with huge win
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been proclaimed the next president of the Philippines by a joint session of Congress following a landslide electoral triumph 36 years after his dictator father was ousted in a pro-democracy uprising.
Allies of Marcos Jr. set to dominate Philippine Congress
Allies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the presumptive next president of the Philippines, appear set to dominate both chambers of Congress, alarming activists after the late dictator son's apparent election victory restored his family to the seat of power.
Marcos presidency complicates US efforts to counter China
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.โs apparent landslide victory in the Philippines presidential election is raising immediate concerns about a further erosion of democracy in Asia.
New generation of Marcos, Duterte set to lead Philippines
The powerful alliance between the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte is set to usher in six years of governance in the Philippines that are concerning to human rights activists.