China’s Coast Guard warns Philippines to immediately cease ‘provocations’

HONG KONG: China’s Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu warned the Philippines on Friday to immediately cease “provocations and hype,” saying that its vessels approached a Chinese Coast Guard ship “in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.” The Chinese Coast Guard would carry out protection of rights and law enforcement in the waters of Second Thomas Shoal […]

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Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?

By Raissa Robles Maritime tensions between the Philippines and China have entered what analysts describe as a risky and potentially volatile phase after an accidental collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, one of the most contested features in the South China Sea. The rare mishap involving the vessels from the Chinese coastguard and […]

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Philippines reports Chinese ship surge at Scarborough Shoal after ‘embarrassing’ collision

By Jeoffrey Maitem The Philippine government has reported a marked increase in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll. Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a […]

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Filipinos push for sex education as teen births, HIV cases rise but is Philippines ready?

By Sam Beltran Almost three in four Filipinos believe that schools should teach children about sex and reproductive health, a new survey has shown – a marked shift in public sentiment that advocates say underscores the urgency of combating disinformation and religious resistance as teen pregnancies and HIV cases surge in the Philippines. In the […]

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Philippine military slams ‘fabricated’ video of stand-off with Malaysian navy

By Raissa Robles The Armed Forces of the Philippines has slammed as “fabricated” a video about an alleged stand-off with the Royal Malaysian Navy over contested Sabah waters and fishing rights. Manila’s navy confirmed it had sent a guided missile frigate, the BRP General Antonio Luna, to Malaysia for a long-planned joint military exercise. On […]

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Philippines voices concern over ‘dangerous’ Chinese actions after Scarborough Shoal collision

The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it described as “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal on Monday. “Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision […]

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Philippines’ Marcos says China ‘misinterpreted’ his comments on Taiwan

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that Beijing has “misinterpreted” his comments saying Manila will be inevitably drawn in to a conflict between China and Taiwan should one erupt. China accused Marcos of “playing with fire” after the Philippine leader said during a visit to India that “there is no way that […]

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Philippines’ Marcos moves to address online gambling crisis amid calls for ban

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will examine policy options to address the online gambling crisis gripping the nation, his office said on Saturday, as calls mount for the government to enact tighter regulations, or ban internet betting completely. Concerns are growing over the rising number of Filipinos battling addiction to online gambling, which has […]

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Beijing warns Manila to stop ‘playing with fire’ after Marcos makes Taiwan remarks

By Fan ChenandLaura Zhou Beijing has warned Manila to stop “playing with fire” after the Philippine president said on a trip to India that his country would “have to get involved” if a China-US conflict arose in the Taiwan Strait. In an interview with Indian media outlet Firstpost on Wednesday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr […]

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