Philippines
South China Sea: Philippines and Beijing await court ruling
An international tribunal is set to give a long-awaited ruling, with implications for China's controversial claims in the disputed South China Sea. The case at the tribunal in The Hague was brought by the Philippines, which argues Chinese activity in the region is against international law. China claims about 90% of the...
Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as Philippines president
Rodrigo Duterte has been sworn in as president of the Philippines, after a landslide election victory in May. The controversial former mayor of Davao City, 71, overthrew the political establishment, promising a "bloody war" on crime and action on corruption. In his inaugural speech he promised to make sweeping changes...
Philippines condemns killing of Canadian
The Philippine president has condemned the "brutal and senseless murder" of a Canadian man by Abu Sayyaf militants. Robert Hall was kidnapped by the Islamist group in September along with three others from Canada, the Philippines and Norway. Fellow Canadian John Ridsdel was killed by the group in April after a...
Cards Against Corruption: A game about the Philippines
It's no secret that corruption remains a rampant problem in the Philippines. Bribery, embezzlement and nepotism are all issues that have plagued the nation for decades, but how does this affect the way young people feel about the upcoming 9 May elections? To find out, I created a set of fun cards about the Philippines based...
Philippines election: Polls open with outspoken mayor tipped to win
People in the Philippines are voting for a new president and other leaders, with outspoken mayor Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte the favourite to win. Five candidates are running but Mr Duterte led polls ahead of voting, despite controversial comments while campaigning and a hardline stance. The campaign has been driven by...
Militants kill Canadian hostage John Ridsdel in the Philippines
A Canadian man murdered by militants in the Philippines has been described as a "kind and gregarious person who touched everyone he knew with his enthusiasm and generosity." John Ridsdel was beheaded by Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf, which took him hostage along with three others in September last year. In a...
South China Sea: Australian troops join Philippines, US for annual Balikiatan military training drills
South China Sea: Australian troops join Philippines, US for annual Balikiatan military training drills THOUSANDS of US and Philippine troops, along with Australian defence forces, began annual drills to prepare to quickly respond to a range of potential crises, including in the disputed South China Sea. The exercises have been...
Typhoon Koppu hits Philippines, kills at least 16, displaces 60,000 (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Some 60,000 have been displaced in Philippines by typhoon Koppu that has also killed at least 16 people. Although the typhoon has weakened, authorities warn it may cause heavy floods. Seven people died when their boat capsized, while a boy was killed after he was hit by a fallen tree in the capital Manila. Authorities in the...
2 Canadians, 1 Norwegian abducted by gunmen in Philippines – military
Two Canadian tourists, a Norwegian resort manager, and a Filipino woman have been abducted from a popular resort by gunmen in the southern Philippines, the military have confirmed. According to Philippines army Captain Alberto Caber, the four were kidnapped at a gunpoint during a raid on the Oceanview resort on Samal Island,...