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Defense & Security Intelligence

2026-01-18 18:31 UTC
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Philippines

40 articles

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in drug war case: what does it mean for Duterte?
The Philippines' Supreme Court has upheld a murder conviction of three policemen involved in the death of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during an anti-drug operation in Rodrigo Duterte's tenure. This ...
South China Sea: claims of coercion, deception as Beijing and Manila wage new war of words
The Philippines' National Maritime Council's statement criticizing China has prompted the Chinese embassy in the Philippines to accuse Manila of provoking trouble and misleading statements. Both sides...
HD HHI signs contract to build two new frigates to Philippine Navy
On December 29, 2025, South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) announced a contract with the Philippines' Department of National Defence to build two 3,200-ton frigates for the Philippine N...
The Philippines in 2025: Corruption, Accountability, and the Marcos-Duterte Rift
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faced increasing pressure throughout the year but managed to maintain his position. The political landscape showed signs of a rift between the Marcos administration and ...
Philippines to acquire 2 new frigates from South Korea’s HD HHI
The Philippine Department of National Defense plans to sign a contract worth 34 billion Philippine pesos (approximately $585 million) with the South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) f...
Philippines in 2025: a year of crisis, from corruption scandal to South China Sea tensions
The Philippines has experienced ongoing political unrest including corruption allegations linked to flood control initiatives under President Marcos Jr's administration in 2025. The country also faces...
Hanwha combat systems deal deepens South Korea’s role in Philippine defence
South Korea's Hanwha Systems has secured a contract worth US$27.7 million to supply combat management systems and tactical data links for two 3,200-tonne frigates being constructed for the Philippine ...
The Bondi Attack, the Islamic State, and the Price of Strategic Shortsightedness
The alleged connection between attackers in Bondi and IS-affiliated groups in the Philippines may be weak, but it highlights the need to consider the broader strategic implications of such attacks. Th...
China suggests ‘illegal’ Philippine fishing is damaging disputed Scarborough Shoal
A Chinese government report on the environmental condition of the disputed Scarborough Shoal claims that illegal fishing by the Philippines poses significant risk despite the coral reef's good overall...
Philippines’ US$23 billion education budget is highest ever but will it make the grade?
The Philippines has approved a record budget of 1.37 trillion pesos ($23 billion) for education, marking the largest allocation in its history and aligning with UN recommendations. While teachers and ...
Bondi shooter Sajid Akram visited Philippine gun shop before attack, police say
Australian police report that one of the Bondi Beach mass shooting suspects, Sajid Akram, visited a firearms store in the Philippines before carrying out the attack. The investigation by Australian co...
After key official’s death, can Philippines’ flood-control probe still deliver answers?
The death of a senior public works official suspected of involvement in a billion-peso flood-control scandal in the Philippines raises concerns about the ongoing corruption investigation. This loss is...
Philippine military backs ‘rule of law’ after ex-general arrested over sedition
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has endorsed the arrest of retired Air Force general Romeo Poquiz on charges of incitement to sedition. The arrest followed a video where Poquiz urged the military ...
Why Philippines as Asean chair may leave Thai-Cambodian peace problem to US, China
As the chair of ASEAN for 2026, the Philippines may face challenges in resolving the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Observers suggest a limited capacity for conflict resolution ...
Rise of Peranakan Chinese networks, Malaysian ex-PM jailed in 1MDB saga: 7 Asia highlights
Highlights of seven significant stories from Southeast Asian news over the past week include the enduring influence of the Peranakan Chinese community in Southeast Asia, built on trade and migration, ...
Is Philippines being unfairly targeted in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting?
Two suspects in the recent deadly shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach reportedly visited the Philippines before the incident, raising concerns about potential links to extremist movements there. However,...
Philippines Scrambles To Shield Vital Undersea Cables From Spies
The Philippines has submarine cables that serve as crucial links connecting Southeast Asia with the United States, India, and Hong Kong. There is growing concern over protecting these vital undersea c...
Philippines’ Marcos slashes ‘back door’ budget allocations amid flood control scandal
Philippine President Ferdinand Jr. has signed into law the 2026 budget of 6.793 trillion pesos ($115 billion), aiming to boost an economy affected by corruption issues. Despite a 7% increase from last...
Filipinos master disaster readiness, one roll of the dice at a time
A board game titled 'Master of Disaster' has been developed to improve disaster preparedness among Filipinos in the Philippines, which is ranked as the most disaster-prone country on earth for four co...
‘Outraged’ Philippine doctors call on Congress to rein in lawmakers’ ‘medical pork’
Medical professionals in the Philippines are calling on Congress to stop the practice of 'medical pork,' where tax money intended for patient assistance is channeled through politicians via personal g...
Philippines struggles to win back Chinese tourists as regional rivals surge
The Philippines faces challenges in attracting Chinese tourists, with 2024 arrivals being only about 18% of pre-pandemic levels compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors. According to the ASEAN+3 Macr...
Philippine lawmakers say US move on Venezuela complicates Manila’s rules-based stance
Philippines' legislators are questioning the country's alliance with the United States due to recent actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Critics argue that Washington's intervention c...
Philippine ex-lawmaker accused of building 5-level basement to store money
Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has accused former lawmaker Zaldy Co of planning to construct a five-story basement in his luxury home in Makati, one of Metro Manila's most exclusive area...
Philippine Navy scrambles to shield vital undersea cables from spies
The Philippine Navy is taking action to safeguard numerous submarine cables that crisscross Philippine waters, connecting Southeast Asia with the United States, India and Hong Kong....
Japan’s top diplomat heads to Philippines with South China Sea top of mind
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Manila as part of a nine-day tour that also includes stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, and India. During his stay in the Phili...
Philippine army colonel faces charges after anti-Marcos post goes viral amid coup concerns
A Philippine army colonel has been relieved of his command and faces charges after making public comments against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on social media. The colonel, Audie Mongao, voluntarily ...
Soaring healthcare costs in the Philippines: are doctors’ fees to blame?
The Philippine government is investigating ways to regulate doctors' fees due to public complaints about rising hospital costs. The Department of Health (DOH) plans to study possible standards for the...
As commissioners quit, Philippines’ flood-control probe faces credibility crisis
The resignation of a second commissioner from a Philippine presidential panel investigating corruption in flood control projects raises concerns over the probe's credibility and accountability. The si...
Why Filipinos risk injury and death to ring in the new year with dangerous fireworks
Despite long-standing regulations and annual warnings from authorities, Filipino citizens continue to use dangerous fireworks during New Year celebrations. This practice results in a significant numbe...
Philippines’ struggle for Chinese tourists, flood aid remarks spark ire: 7 Asia highlights
The article compiles seven significant stories from the South China Morning Post's recent coverage in Asia that have drawn reader interest and illuminated key issues. Among these, it highlights the Ph...
Bondi attack suspects kept to themselves during Philippines stay, hotel staffer recalls
Hotel staff member of Makati hotel, where three suspects involved in the fatal attack on a 25-year-old woman at Bondi Beach in Sydney were staying from late July to mid-August, recalls that the group ...
Amy Casey
Amy Casey began her radio career at 14 as the youngest Breakfast host for 'Hill FM' in Broken Hill, Australia. She later moved to Sydney and worked for stations like 2DayFM and Triple M before traveli...
Philippine tourism chief’s magazine cover controversy prompts debate over branding
Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has faced criticism for appearing on the cover of a lifestyle magazine aimed at promoting tourist destinations in the Philippines. This incident reopens d...
Filipino woman worships green statue for 4 years, finds out it is animated character Shrek
A woman in Manila, Philippines, worshipped what she believed to be a green Buddha statue for four years before discovering it was actually a 3D-printed figure of the animated character Shrek. This inc...
Philippine ex-general who urged troops to desert Marcos arrested for sedition
Romeo Poquiz, a former Philippine air force general, was arrested Monday at Manila’s international airport upon returning from Thailand. He faces sedition charges for his public call on the military t...
Typhoon-hit Philippines learns disaster preparations with a board game
In the Philippines, teenagers are using a board game called 'Master of Disaster' to simulate typhoons and learn correct strategies for potential catastrophes. With less than half of Filipinos estimate...
Helper who survived Hong Kong fire recovers in Philippines for Christmas
Rhodora Alcaraz, a Filipino domestic worker who bravely escaped from one of Hong Kong's deadliest fires in recent decades with her employer's baby, is recovering from pneumonia and has been referred t...
Filipino helper killed in Hong Kong fire hailed as heroine as body flown home
Maryan Pascual Esteban's body has been returned from Hong Kong to the Philippines, where she is being hailed as a heroine by Philippine officials for her actions during the deadly fire....
World Welcomes 2026 With Fireworks
The article describes how people around the globe celebrated the New Year 2026 with fireworks and festivities. It highlights particular celebrations in major cities across different continents....
Singapore PM excited about Jessica Sanchez’s Philippines show, Marcos’ wife says
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that he has invited American singer Jessica Sanchez, the winner of America’s Got Talent season 20, to perform at next year's ASEAN summit in Cebu. S...