January
Long on the run, a hit man gives one last confession
Edgar Matobato says he killed for former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for 24 years. Now he’s ready to testify at the International Criminal Court.
- Updated
- Hannah Beech
September 2024
- Opinion
- South China Sea
Why the Philippines is the new China flashpoint
Most people have never heard of the Sabina Shoal, but it’s become the latest global testing ground for confrontation with China. Will it trigger broader conflict?
- Jennifer Hewett
February 2024
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Philippines partners Australia on peace, stability and success in Asia
President Marcos’s speech is in keeping with the tightening network of Asian nations who are keen to keep the US engaged and are suspicious of Beijing’s intentions.
- The AFR View
July 2023
EU leader pays rare visit to Philippines after stormy period
Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Manila on Sunday night for the first such top-level visit in almost six decades of relations with the Asian nation.
- Jim Gomez
June 2023
- Opinion
- China relations
Albanese must stick to his guns on ending the trade war
Australia has let China off on a WTO barley case it would have won. It’s up to China to remove the obstacles to better relations that it has created.
- Justin Bassi
April 2023
US, Philippines follow Taiwan drills with biggest exercises yet
The presence of more than 17,600 military personnel almost doubles last year’s level, according to the US Embassy in Manila.
- Philip J. Heijmans
November 2022
Kamala Harris visits contested South China Sea island
The US vice president pledged to defend the Philippines if it came under attack in the waterway, reaffirming Washington’s “unwavering” commitment to its former colony.
- Karen Lema
June 2022
Fighting for the future of the Philippines – one chainsaw at a time
The environmental thriller “Delikado” joins the dots between the Philippines’ powerful families and their power bases across the various layers of government.
- Emma Connors
May 2022
- Explainer
- World elections
His father died in exile. Now another Marcos may be president
The Philippines is on the verge of electing the son of a dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, and the daughter of strongman Rodrigo Duterte. Here’s what you need to know about today’s election.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
Two united Filipino dynasties tipped to put dictator’s son in power
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is expected to return his family to power in the Philippines’ presidential elections, 36 years after his dictator father was forced into exile.
- Emma Connors
April 2022
- Opinion
- Democracy
Why full democracy and development have eluded South-East Asia
The hybrid regimes and middle-income economies of South-East Asia remain stuck in both a developmental and a democratic rut.
- Dan Slater
January 2022
Duterte successor candidates adjust their China policies
The next Philippines president will come under tremendous pressure to adopt calibrated assertiveness on South China Sea disputes, but also a measure of geopolitical pragmatism in relations with China.
- Richard Javad Heydarian
The Bongbong bounce: Marcos Jnr has the Philippines in thrall
He’s the son of an infamous kleptocrat but Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr has a big lead in the race to become the country’s next President.
- Emma Connors
December 2021
Deluge wreaks havoc on south-east Asian business
Severe weather disruptions have hit Malaysia and the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction among nations most prone to natural disasters.
- Siegfrid Alegado and Yantoultra Ngui
Typhoon deaths in Philippines top 100, mayors appeal for aid
At its strongest, the typhoon packed sustained winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 270 kph, one of the most powerful in recent years to hit the disaster-prone archipelago.
- Jim Gomez
November 2021
Xi launches veiled attack on AUKUS in speech to ASEAN
China’s leader told south-east Asian nations that Beijing would never seek hegemony over smaller nations, as he showed support for a non-nuclear south-east Asia.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
- Opinion
- Democracy
The lifeblood of Philippine democracy is under threat
It’s disturbing that one of the key pillars of political life in the Philippines - its traditionally vibrant and critical media - has been under such pressure in the Duterte era.
- Liam Gammon
October 2021
- Opinion
- Nobel Prize
Nobel peace prize for journalists is a call to action in dark times
The committee’s choice was a strategic act as the world tilts toward fascism. The last time a working journalist was honoured, it was to an anti-Nazi German editor as World War II loomed.
- Julie Posetti
Philippine leader Duterte announces retirement from politics
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced he was retiring from politics and dropping plans to run for vice-president in elections next year.
- Jim Gomez and Joeal Calupitan
July 2021
Philippines military deal boosts US efforts to counter China
The move allows large-scale combat exercises between US and Philippine forces, which at times have alarmed China, to proceed.
- Andreo Calonzo