Philippines summons China envoy over standoff, dares Beijing to seek arbitration

By Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines summoned China’s envoy on Monday to protest against “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea at the weekend, as Manila’s defence minister dared Beijing to bolster its vast sovereignty claims by taking them to international arbitration. The foreign ministry accused China’s coastguard of using … Read more

U.S. to Host Summit With Japan and the Philippines

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month amid growing concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program, provocative Chinese action in the South China Sea and differences over a Japanese company’s plan to buy an iconic American steel company. … Read more

Blinken to underline ‘ironclad’ support for Philippines as it clashes with China in disputed sea

MANILA, Philippines — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will underscore Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to its alliance with the Philippines on Tuesday, as clashes between Chinese and Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea turn more hostile, the U.S. State Department said. Blinken, the latest high-level official to visit the U.S. treaty ally, met his … Read more

As tensions rise in South China Sea, Philippines signs security deals

MANILA — The Philippines has been striking new defense agreements with other countries at a rapid clip, seeking to build what officials here call a “network of alliances” that could deter Chinese aggression in disputed waters. The Philippines has signed or entered discussions over new security agreements with at least 18 countries since a Chinese … Read more

China coast guard flexes its might against the Philippines in disputed waters as journalists watch

ABOARD BRP SINDANGAN (AP) — It was a heart-pounding moment far out in the disputed South China Sea: One of at least five Chinese coast guard ships aggressively approached and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel, creating a loud, jarring noise that sent its Filipino crew scrambling to lower rubber fenders to cushion the boat’s hull. … Read more

Debate heats up as Singapore PM says Taylor Swift deal isn’t ‘unfriendly’

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Tuesday that a closed-door deal for Taylor Swift to perform in the city-state ensured she would not perform in other Southeast Asian countries during her Eras tour. “(Our) agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in … Read more

Taylor Swift Singapore Concerts Start Conflict with Philippines Lawmaker

Taylor Swift’s the biggest star in the world … so it’s no shock she can kick off a conflict between two sovereign nations — and all because of where she’s performing next weekend. Here’s the deal … obviously, T-Swift’s over in Singapore right now, having just completed the first three of six concerts in the … Read more

Singapore brokered a deal with Taylor Swift, so she wouldn’t take the Eras Tour to other Southeast Asian countries. Now, a Philippines lawmaker is calling it out.

Taylor Swift kicked off her six-night, sold-out The Eras Tour stopover in Singapore on Saturday. It’s the only place in Southeast Asia where she will perform due to an exclusivity deal. A Philippines lawmaker criticized the move, saying it “isn’t what good neighbors do.” There’s a feud between Singapore and neighboring government officials — and … Read more

Philippines’ Marcos Floats 2025 Vote on Constitutional Reform: What to Know

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—the son and namesake of the Philippines’ late dictator—has floated the idea of holding a national vote to amend the Southeast Asian country’s constitution at the same time as its upcoming midterm elections in 2025. “If possible, we can have the plebiscite in the local elections to be held in May … Read more

Landslide in Davao de Oro, Philippines, kills 55; dozens still missing

MANILA — At least 55 people died and 32 were injured in one of the southern Philippines’ deadliest landslides in recent years, the government of Davao de Oro province said Monday. Search and retrieval operations are still underway for dozens more missing after the landslide that took place Tuesday night on the southern island of … Read more