Latest Ferdinand Marcos Jr. News

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...

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. ...

Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China

Jul. 08, 2024 08:51 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an...

Philippine troops kill 10 communist rebels in a clash, in the latest blow to decades-long insurgency

Jun. 28, 2024 04:18 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine troops killed at least 10 suspected communist guerrillas in a clash in a remote northern area in the latest blow to a decades-old insurgency that has weakened considerably, with only about a thousand guerrillas remaining, military and security officials said...

Former Philippine President Duterte plans to run for Senate next year, daughter says

Jun. 25, 2024 13:14 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte plans to run for the Senate in mid-term elections next year, his daughter and the country's vice president said Tuesday. When Duterte's stormy presidential term ended in 2022, he said he would retire from...

Philippines says it won't back down, but won't start a war, after clash with Chinese Coast Guard

Jun. 23, 2024 02:17 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The president of the Philippines said Sunday his country would not yield to “any foreign power” after Chinese forces injured Filipino navy personnel and damaged at least two military boats with machetes, axes and hammers in a clash in the disputed South China Sea,...

Philippines won't invoke mutual defense treaty with US after Chinese confrontation at disputed shoal

Jun. 21, 2024 08:36 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines said Friday it has no plan to invoke its mutual defense treaty with the United States after the Chinese coast guard reportedly rammed, boarded and used machetes and axes to damage two Philippine navy boats in a chaotic faceoff that injured Filipino navy...

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte resigning from posts in Marcos' Cabinet as alliance flounders

Jun. 19, 2024 21:03 PM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is resigning from her posts of education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body, as her whirlwind alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unraveled over key differences, including efforts to arrest a religious leader...

A growing Filipino diaspora means plenty of celebration worldwide for Philippine Independence Day

Jun. 11, 2024 02:08 AM EDT

In the Philippines — where Spanish and later U.S. colonial rule persisted for nearly four centuries — June 12 is the real Independence Day. That date in 1898 was the pivotal moment when the island nation first made a bold move for autonomy. Ahead of this year's holiday in...