Latest Philippines government News

Philippine forces sail to hotly disputed shoal without incident for first time since deal with China

Jul. 27, 2024 03:17 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine government personnel transported food and other supplies Saturday to a fiercely disputed shoal occupied by a Filipino navy contingent but closely guarded by Beijing’s forces in the South China Sea and no confrontations were reported, Philippine officials...

Typhoon Gaemi weakens to a tropical storm as it moves inland carrying rain toward central China

Jul. 26, 2024 22:58 PM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — Tropical storm Gaemi brought rain to central China on Saturday as it moved inland after making landfall at typhoon strength on the country's east coast Thursday night. The storm felled trees, flooded streets and damaged crops in China but there were no reports of...

Philippines plans to siphon off oil cargo from sunken tanker to avert 'environmental catastrophe'

Jul. 26, 2024 04:47 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — There is no indication that a big cargo of industrial fuel oil stored in a tanker that sank in stormy weather in Manila Bay has started to leak, the Philippine coast guard said Friday, and plans are being firmed up to try to siphon off the highly toxic shipment to...

China issues rare praise to Philippine president for his ban on Chinese online gambling operators

Jul. 25, 2024 11:01 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China issued a rare compliment to the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Thursday for his order banning widespread and Chinese-run online gaming operations. Marcos accused some of venturing into crimes including financial scams, human...

Typhoon Gaemi hits China's coast after leaving 25 dead in Taiwan and the Philippines

Jul. 25, 2024 09:58 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A strong typhoon made landfall on China's southeastern coast on Thursday evening after sweeping across the nearby island of Taiwan, where it caused landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and left three dead. Typhoon Gaemi had swept up the western Pacific,...

Philippine oil tanker sinks in Manila Bay, raising fears of a possible major spill near the capital

Jul. 25, 2024 08:48 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine oil tanker sank in Manila Bay early Thursday after encountering huge waves, leaving a crewman dead and 16 others rescued in a late-night operation by the coast guard. The force was also assessing whether the vessel was leaking oil — in what could be a...

A typhoon kills 3 as it nears Taiwan. It killed 13 in the Philippines, where people plead for rescue

Jul. 24, 2024 12:57 PM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A typhoon killed three people in Taiwan as it approached the island on Wednesday, while people trapped by rising floodwaters in the Philippines called for help in the Southeast Asian nation where at least 13 died. Taiwan's Central News Agency said more than...

Philippines and Singapore broaden defense ties with a new agreement

Jul. 24, 2024 07:51 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines and Singapore signed a defense pact Wednesday that will allow their militaries to broaden their engagement, but few details were given about how the agreement could help address their security concerns in a region rife with conflicts. ...

Philippine president orders shutdown of Chinese-run online gambling industry employing thousands

Jul. 22, 2024 21:18 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered an immediate ban on widespread and mostly Chinese-run online gaming operations, accusing them of venturing into crimes, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder. ...

China and the Philippines announce deal aimed at stopping clashes at fiercely disputed shoal

Jul. 22, 2024 05:28 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China and the Philippines reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine government said Sunday. The Philippines occupies Second Thomas Shoal but China also claims it, and...