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Karen Lema
A satellite image appears to show an overview of Thitu Island in the South China Sea on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 29, 2024
Chinese ships near island disputed with Philippines, satellites show
Thitu is a strategically important island from which Manila monitors Chinese vessels and aircraft in the busy waterway.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on July 22. Marcos is bolstering his base by endorsing big local names for the Senate, including three former movie actors, the daughter of the country's richest man and two of his presidential election rivals.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 1, 2024
Marcos-Duterte battle looms as Philippines prepares for midterm election
The May 2025 election will give President Marcos a chance to consolidate power, which the influential Duterte family is determined to stop after a falling-out.
Visitors stand near a transport helicopter during a public viewing by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy to mark its upcoming 75th founding anniversary, at the port in Qingdao, China, on April 20.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 25, 2024
Chinese navy helicopter reportedly shadowed Philippines aircraft
It is the latest in the series of air and sea encounters between China and the Philippines, which have sparred over contested areas of the South China Sea.
The Typhon missile system at Laoag International Airport, in Laoag, Philippines, on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 19, 2024
U.S. keeps missile system in Philippines as China tensions rise
China and Russia condemned the move — the first deployment of the system to the Indo-Pacific — and accused Washington of fueling an arms race.
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have accused each other of aggressive behavior.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 12, 2024
Manila rejects ‘use of force’ to undermine its South China Sea interests
Amid efforts to de-escalate tensions between the Philippines and China, Manila's national security adviser outlines its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his sister Imee, children of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, answer questions during a press briefing at the Supreme Court in Padre Faura, Metro Manila, Philippines, on April 2, 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 4, 2024
Philippine senator makes TikTok claim about China missile plans
Sen. Imee Marcos, the sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., made her claim in a video that has had over 900,000 views on TikTok.
Rodrigo Duterte is being investigated by the International Criminal Court over his signature "war on drugs" campaign, where thousands were gunned down in what authorities called vigilante killings during his 2016-22 presidency.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 1, 2024
Duterte's senate election bid poses threat to former ally Marcos
The political challenges by the Duterte family could upset the Philippine president's hopes of consolidating power so he can groom a potential successor for 2028.
Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte in Manila on Jan. 28, 2024. Duterte resigned from the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday, the presidential palace said.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 20, 2024
Philippine vice president exits Marcos Cabinet as alliance collapses
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte resigning from two key posts might give her more power to go against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel prepare rubber fenders after China Coast Guard vessels blocked their way to a resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 19, 2024
In South China Sea dispute, Philippines' bolder hand tests Beijing
Publicizing China's actions, combined with Manila's deepened military alliance with the U.S., has constrained Beijing's ability to escalate matters at sea.
A floating barrier at the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Feb. 22
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 27, 2024
Satellite images reveal floating barrier at mouth of disputed atoll in South China Sea
China claims the Scarborough Shoal, although it is inside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was quick to play down the tensions, saying that the coalition was still intact.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 2, 2024
'Open warfare': Philippines' Marcos-Duterte alliance crumbles
The alliance between the two was always expected to collapse, but analysts are surprised by how soon the gloves have come off.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reviews a military honor guard during a full honors arrival ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington on May 3.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 22, 2023
Philippines launches joint sea and air patrols with U.S. military
This week's three-day joint exercise was a "significant initiative" to boost interoperability between the two countries, the Philippine president said.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel retrieve the body of a crew member of a Filipino fishing boat on Wednesday. Three fishermen are dead after their boat was "rammed" by a foreign commercial vessel in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard said on October 4.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 4, 2023
Three Filipino fishermen dead after boat 'rammed' in South China Sea
Manila said the vessel that collided with the boat in the flash point waterway was an oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
U.S and Philippine military officials link arms with U.S. Embassy representative Heather Variava during the opening ceremony of the annual Philippines-U.S. joint military exercises at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on April 11.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 31, 2023
U.S. military in talks to develop port in Philippines facing Taiwan
The move could stoke tensions at a time of growing friction with China.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 4, 2023
Philippines reveals locations of four new strategic sites for U.S. military pact
Marcos' office said the four locations should 'boost the disaster response' and help humanitarian and relief operations.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 28, 2023
Japan and Australia may conduct South China Sea patrols with U.S. and Philippines, ambassador says
If the plan materializes, it will be the first time the Philippines has joined multilateral maritime patrols in the South China Sea, a move that would likely anger Beijing.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 28, 2022
'Protect the truth': A Marcos return in Philippines triggers fear for history
Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s presidency, set to begin on June 30, has many people worried about losing access to books and other accounts of his father's rule.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 11, 2022
No quiet retirement for Philippines' Duterte when Marcos takes over
Efforts to put the outgoing leader on trial for thousands of killings in his 'war on drugs' appear unlikely to prosper, however.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 10, 2022
Fall and rise: Marcos family back in power in the Philippines
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s victory marks extraordinary comeback for a family once best known for widespread human rights abuses and the plunder of an estimated $10 billion.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
May 4, 2022
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could control hunt for family's wealth as Philippines president
If the front-runner triumphs in the May 9 election, he will wield broad powers over government agencies seeking to recover as much as $10 billion plundered by his namesake father.

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