Jails in the Philippines overpopulated by more than 500 per cent
Jails in the Philippines are overpopulated by an incredible 511 per cent as the total number of inmates has ballooned to 126,946. These prisoners are all held in facilities with …
Even if Raqqa and Mosul fall, Islamic State is far from finished
A long-awaited military campaign is underway to retake the key northern Syrian city of Raqqa from the so-called Islamic State (IS). With the group apparently losing territory and its de …
‘Lucky’ Australian journalist shot in neck while reporting Marawi clashes
An Australian journalist who was shot in the neck on the outskirts of Marawi City today (Thursday, June 15) has described himself as “lucky”. Adam Harvey, a reporter for the …
Pervert who said children being raped online “looked happy” is jailed
An Australian paedophile who claimed Filipino children being sexually abused online “looked happy” has been sentenced to ten years. Sydney hotel worker Bryan Walter Beattie, aged 44, will serve a …
Warship dispute ‘return to business as usual’ in South China Sea
The South China Sea is a volatile place – or rather, its politics are. China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have been fighting over this azure stretch of …
Over a third of all foreign retirees in the Philippines are Chinese expats
More Chinese expats than any other nationality have retired to the Philippines, according to the Philippine Retirement Agency (PRA). The agency’s data show that there were 17,768 Chinese retirees in …
US Pacific fleet commander affirms “enduring” ties to the Philippines
The commander of the US Pacific Fleet affirmed the US Navy’s strong ties with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a visit to Manila today (Wednesday, June 14). Admiral …
Ten dead as van collides with truck in Davao City
At least 10 people died and eight others were injured after a passenger van smashed into a truck in in Davao City this morning (Wednesday, June 14). Nine of the …
Fears for British Filipinos still missing after London tower blaze
An unknown number of British Filipinos were injured or are still missing after a huge blaze ravaged a London tower block early this morning (Wednesday, June 14). In a statement …
Imprisoned American flown home from North Korea in year-long coma
American student Otto Warmbier is being sent home in a coma after more than 17 months of detention in North Korea, it has been announced. Warmier, aged 22, is being …
Duterte takes another “rest day” after missing Independence Day event
After his surprise absence at Independence Day celebrations yesterday, President Duterte has taken a second “rest day” today (Tuesday, June 13). Speaking at a press conference today, presidential spokesman Ernesto …
Agency behind new Philippine tourism ad denies plagiarism
High praise for what appeared to be a charming, engaging promotional video released by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) soon gave way to accusations of plagiarism. Within hours of …
Confessions of a tour guide: A wild, weird farewell to bachelor life
What happens on a stag tour should always stay on tour, and such is the motto of party organisers GNTours. However, the events that recently unfolded in Manila just had to …
US special forces “boots on ground” spotted near Marawi war zone
Despite government denials that they have any “boots on the ground” US special forces have been spotted near Marawi City. The American troops were seen at Camp Ranao military camp …
New plans could see Cebu airport boosted to 50 million capacity
The operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport has submitted a 208-billion peso proposal for a second runway and third terminal. In a statement, the consortium of GMR Infrastructure of India and …
Ride-hailing firm Grab tries again to launch helicopter service
Well-heeled Indonesian travellers may soon be able to escape Jakarta’s notorious traffic jams by using their smartphones to hail a Grab helicopter. Ride-hailing firm Grab, which also operates in the …
Two Japanese tourists shot, cut into pieces and dumped at sea
Police are investigating links to Japanese Yakuza crime gangs after two tourists from the country were shot, cut into pieces and thrown into the sea in Palawan. A Japanese man …
Lawmaker says Philippines should consider changing its name
A Filipino lawmaker is marking his country’s Independence Day by calling for commission to consider a new name for the Philippines. Citing the need for the country to be “truly …
Mother of Maute terror brothers arrested as reports of their deaths are investigated
The mother of the leaders of the Maute terror group has joined their father in government custody. Omenta Romato Maute, the mother of brothers Omar and Abdullah, was arrested along …
US special forces join fight against IS-linked terrorists in Marawi City
US special forces have joined the battle against Islamic State-affiliated terrorists in Marawi, the US embassy has revealed, as 13 Filipino marines were killed in clashes. The Philippine military has …
Military vows to lift Marawi City siege by Independence Day on Monday
The military launched a fresh round on airstrikes on besieged Marawi City today (Friday June 9), vowing to liberate it from Islamic State-affiliated terrorists by Independence Day on Monday. Government …
How the ‘sacred forests’ of Palawan maintain balance between man and nature
Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines, comprising 1,769 islands and an assemblage of 87 cultural groups. Of these cultural groups, only the Pala’wan, Tagbanua and Batak remain indigenous …
Malacañang says critical peace report may have “political slant”
President Duterte’s spokesman has poured scorn on an international survey that named the Philippines as one of the least peaceful countries in the world. According to the independent Global Peace …
Nine Filipinos to hang for 2013 ‘invasion’ of Malaysia
Nine Filipinos have been sentenced to hang for their part in a bloody attempt to retake Sabah from Malaysia in 2013. The incursion by about 200 Islamic militants from the …
Police to terrorists: “Take care of hostages, and we’ll take care of your father”
Police have sent a clear message to the Maute brothers — the leaders of the terror gang bearing their name — “take care” of your hostages and we’ll “take care” …
Justice Secretary mauled for claiming opposition involved with terror group
A number of opposition lawmakers linked to the Maute terror group by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre have issued furious denials. Sec. Aguirre had claimed that senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino …