Three Americans and two Britons arrested for drug possession in Cebu
Three Americans and two Britons have been arrested on suspicion of drug possession in a Cebu City hotel room. The raid this morning (Friday, June 1) came after an arrested …
US military chief: ‘Taking down small islands is our core competency’
A top US military official has said that “taking down small islands” is a “core competency” of American armed forces. Speaking during a Pentagon press briefing yesterday (Thursday, May 31), …
Body of 24-year-old Filipina murdered in Ireland returns to home soil
The remains of a Filipina student who was abducted and murdered in the Republic of Ireland this month has arrived at Clark Airport. The remains of 24-year-old Jastine Valdez were …
Duterte reveals how he missed graduation after shooting fellow student
President Duterte has told graduating students at his old university that he was forced to miss his ceremony after shooting a fellow student. The president told the San Beda University …
Beijing dismisses South China Sea militarisation claims as ‘ridiculous’
China has dismissed claims by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that it is militarising the South China sea as “ridiculous” Mattis said this week that the US would push back …
Government considers nuclear plant on terror group’s island stronghold
The Philippine government is considering the possible establishment of a nuclear energy plant in the troubled island province of Sulu. Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the province had expressed …
Congress passes autonomy bill for Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region
The Philippines moved a step closer to ending decades of conflict on the island of Mindanao, after lawmakers approved a bill to allow self-rule for its Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region. Today …
Lawmakers table bill to grant Filipino citizenship to Australian nun
A group of opposition lawmakers have filed a measure seeking to grant Filipino citizenship to Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox. House Bill 7806 aims to grant Filipino citizenship to the …
Lawmaker complains of Chinese harassment of Navy boat in disputed waters
A lawmaker has claimed that a Chinese helicopter harassed and endangered a Philippine Navy boat in the South China Sea. Speaking during a Congressional briefing on recent developments in the …
Duterte regrets crushing of smuggled Harley Davidson
President Duterte expressed regret that a Harley Davidson was among 122 smuggled motorbikes and other vehicles crushed today. The president, a well-known motorcycle enthusiast, admitted that he too was “crushed” …
Nation’s top diplomat says Duterte would go to war with China if pushed
President Duterte is ready to declare war on China or any other country over Philippine sovereignty in the South China Sea, his Foreign Secretary has said. Alan Peter Cayetano used …
US ambassador to the Philippines helping to set up Trump-Kim talks
The USA’s ambassador to the Philippines is playing a key role in setting up the on-off-on meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Trump. Ambassador Sung Kim, a …
China sends warships to ward off US freedom of navigation patrol
China sent warships to ward off US Navy ships sailing in the South China Sea, the country’s Ministry of Defence has announced. The guided missile cruiser USS Antietam and guided-missile …
Majority of Philippine beaches dangerously polluted by human excrement
Dangerous levels of pollution caused by human excrement has been detected in the waters off 60 per cent of popular Philippine beach destinations. The Environmental Management Bureau has reported that …
After one month of closure, optimism over speedy Boracay rehab
One month on from the closure of Boracay Island, the environment secretary has said it could reopen in less than the planned six months. In previous statements, Roy Cimatu had …
Philippines beefs up contested islands amid Chinese militarisation
The Philippines has started to counter Beijing’s militarisation of the South China Sea by updating its own facilities in the disputed waters. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI, a US …
Justice Secretary gives Sister Patricia more time to appeal deportation
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has said Sister Patricia Fox has until June 18 to leave the Philippines, not today as the Bureau of Immigration previously ordered. In an order issued …
Prosecutors reveal sickening details of pilot’s child abuse to block bail bid
Federal prosecutors seeking to block an alleged child abuser’s bail application have revealed shocking new details of the case. As we reported earlier this month, former US Air Force pilot …
Top Communist: ‘Duterte’s threats to kill me just a sign of affection’
Communist leader Jose Maria Sison has shrugged off President Duterte’s threat to kill him, saying it would be best for them to continue “preparing for the resumption of formal talks …
Capital outflow fears as peso hits lowest level in almost 12 years
The Philippine peso hit its lowest level in almost 12 years as traders braced themselves for the possibility of more capital outflows next month. The currency declined to as low …
North Korean peace talks cancelled: What happens next?
Tom Fowdy, a postgraduate student of Chinese studies at Oxford University, examines the road ahead for bringing peace to the Korean peninsula… Just over a week ago, Donald Trump made …
Duterte threatens to kill Communist leader Sison if peace talks fail
President Duterte has threatened to kill Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison if the government’s proposed peace talks fail. In a speech in Davao City today (Thursday, …
Duterte not sure whether China or USA would help in jihadi terror fight
President Duterte has said he does not know if he would turn to China or the USA for help if there were an outbreak of Islamic State-linked violence in Mindanao. …
New Zealand appoints first honorary consuls for Cebu and Mindanao
New Zealand has appointed honorary consuls for Cebu and Mindanao to “help deepen the trade and economic partnership” its embassy gas announced. HopeNow Philippines Foundation chairman Manuel Osmeña was appointed …
Duterte rules out war with China despite militarisation of Philippine territory
President Duterte has reiterated that he would never go to war with China, even amid the country’s show of military force in the South China Sea. The president made the …
Ambitious plans for rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City revealed
The government has unveiled an ambitious vision for the rehabilitation of Marawi, one year after Islamic State terrorists laid siege to the city. The five-month war left much of the …