Country
Philippines
ICC Rejects Philippines’ Final Appeal Against ‘Drug War’ Investigation
By Sebastian Strangio
The ruling opens the way to an investigation of extrajudicial killings, but trials of Philippine officials remain a remote prospect.
Philippines Allows ‘Barbie’ Film Screening Amid ‘9-Dash-Line’ Controversy
By Mong Palatino
The move followed a decision by Vietnamese censors to bar the distribution of the film for allegedly depicting the Chinese maritime claim.
The Struggle to Save the Philippines’ Architectural Heritage
By Felix Iglesias
The recent blaze at the Manila Central Post Office highlighted the challenges in keeping the depredations of time and private commercial interests at bay.
Philippines’ New Tourism Ad Draws Flak
By Mong Palatino
The advertisement, a showcase of the country's new "Love the Philippines" slogan, contained stock photos from other countries.
Dutch Court Rules in Malaysia’s Favor in Sulu Heirs Case
By Sebastian Strangio
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed hopes that the judgement would spell an end to the attempts to enforce a controversial $15 billion ruling.
Philippine Police Raid Alleged Cybercrime Buildings and Rescue 2,700 Workers
By Associated Press
The workers, who came from 18 different countries, were allegedly duped into working for fraudulent online gaming sites and other cybercrime groups.
Barangay Elections in the Bangsamoro: A Crucial Test for the Future of the BARMM
By Cheng Xu and Jacques Bertrand
Upcoming local elections in the BARMM, an autonomous region in the southern Philippines, will have implications for the 2025 Bangsamoro parliamentary election and the region's future stability.
Philippine Senate Probes Afghan Refugee Deal
By Mong Palatino
A proposal to resettle 50,000 refugees, mostly former employees of the U.S. government in Afghanistan, has stirred up a political controversy.
The Philippines Is Leveraging Its Strategic Value to Become an Indo-Pacific Power
By Gavril Torrijos
Manila is embracing its alliance with the United States and building closer ties to Japan and Australia to become a strong, equal partner that can uphold a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
This Week in Asia: June 16, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
The Secret Struggles of Undocumented Filipino Cleaners in the Netherlands
By Michael Beltran and Sarah Haaij
Working long hours behind closed doors, the undocumented of the Netherlands toil without access to the country's full range of rights and protections.
Chinese Naval Vessel Begins ‘Goodwill’ Visit to Philippines
By Sebastian Strangio
The three-day visit, the first by the Chinese navy since 2019, comes at a difficult time in relations between Beijing and Manila.