Philippines says Chinese forces fired flares near aircraft
The Philippines says Chinese forces fired flares near an unarmed aircraft over disputed reefs, prompting a diplomatic protest and renewed aviation-safety concerns.
Philippines
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Philippines arrests ex-House speaker in flood-control case
Former Philippine House speaker Martin Romualdez faces plunder charges over alleged 7.44 billion-peso kickbacks tied to public-works projects.
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China and Philippines trade accusations after Seoul South China Sea dispute
A note on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling triggered a public exchange between China and the Philippines at a Seoul defense forum.
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ASEAN Defense Talks Set October Test for Regional Cooperation
ASEAN defense officials reviewed cooperation and prepared for October ministerial meetings, but announced no new pact, troop commitment or collective response.
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Quezon City Converts Parks Into Flood-Control Infrastructure
Quezon City is using a public park and civic lagoon to store stormwater, testing whether shared public spaces can ease pressure on urban drainage.
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ASEAN Defense Officials Review Security Ahead of October Meetings
ASEAN defense officials reviewed existing work and prepared for October ministerial meetings in the Philippines, with no new maritime measure announced.
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The South China Sea Code of Conduct still faces three unresolved questions
ASEAN and China are targeting a South China Sea code by year-end, but its scope, legal force and relationship to the 2002 declaration remain open.
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EU Approves €135 Million in Security Aid for Moldova, Philippines
The EU approved separate security measures for Moldova and the Philippines, expanding air-defense and maritime-monitoring support beyond Ukraine.
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China’s Scarborough Shoal drills test ASEAN diplomacy
China’s August 1 drills and reserve rules near Scarborough Shoal add pressure to the Philippines dispute and test ASEAN’s 2026 risk-reduction goals.
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ASEAN Sets End-2026 Target for South China Sea Code as China-Philippines Tensions Rise
ASEAN foreign ministers said progress had been made toward a long-delayed South China Sea Code of Conduct and set an end-2026 target for completing it, amid a new maritime confrontation and joint exercises involving the United States, Japan and the Philippines.
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U.S. and Japan Join Philippines in South China Sea Drills After July 26 Vessel Encounter
The United States and Japan joined the Philippines in maritime exercises after a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine vessels, raising the stakes in disputed waters.
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ASEAN and China Set South China Sea Code Talks Target for End of 2026
ASEAN foreign ministers said negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct had advanced and set a target to conclude the process by the end of 2026, but no agreement has been adopted.
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China holds military drills near Scarborough Shoal as Philippines, U.S. and Japan confront rising South China Sea tensions
China conducted military drills near disputed Scarborough Shoal on August 1, 2026, as territorial tensions with the Philippines intensified and ASEAN-China talks on a maritime code of conduct continued.
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Philippines Impeachment Trial Turns to Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds
The Philippine Senate is examining alleged irregularities in PHP612.5 million in confidential funds as testimony, subpoenas and financial-record orders advance.
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ASEAN Urges Hormuz Access, Renews South China Sea Code Goal
ASEAN’s July Manila meetings urged an immediate Middle East ceasefire and safe Hormuz passage while renewing a 2026 South China Sea code goal.
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Taiwan Extends Visa-Free Entry for 3 Southeast Asian Partners
Taiwan extended 14-day visa-exempt entry for Thai, Bruneian and Philippine passport holders through July 31, 2027, supporting regional travel and ties.
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Philippines, U.S. warn against coercion as ASEAN talks continue
U.S. and Philippine officials warned against coercion in Kuala Lumpur as ASEAN said South China Sea code-of-conduct talks with China had accelerated.
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ASEAN and China Renew Push for South China Sea Code in 2026
ASEAN and China renewed a 2026 goal for a South China Sea conduct code in Manila, but no final text exists and maritime tensions remain unresolved.
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EU approves €15 million maritime-security support for Philippines
The EU approved a 36-month package of non-lethal maritime-surveillance equipment and training for the Philippines, deepening security ties without a defense pact.
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China Holds Drills Near Disputed Scarborough Shoal as ASEAN Talks Continue
China reported naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal as ASEAN and China pursue a 2026 South China Sea code of conduct that remains unfinished.
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China-Philippines clashes test ASEAN’s South China Sea diplomacy
July confrontations near Scarborough and Second Thomas shoals tested ASEAN’s warnings on maritime safety as negotiations with China target a 2026 code of conduct.
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Sarangani 7.8 quake: schools suspended, families get aid—late-June updates
After the June 8, 2026 M7.8 Sarangani quake, schools paused for safety checks. DSWD mobilized food packs; DBM released P362M—what’s next.