Filipino televangelist pleads not guilty to human trafficking charges
A Philippine televangelist, who calls himself the “anointed son of God” and once claimed to have stopped an earthquake, has pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking.
Hundreds of police raid a religious compound in search of Filipino preacher wanted for child abuse
Hundreds of police, backed by riot squads, have raided a vast religious compound in a southern Philippine city in search of a local preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
The UN is moving to fight cybercrime but privacy groups say human rights will be violated
The United Nations is imposing the rule of law on cyberspace with a new global deal requiring a crackdown on the illegal misuse of computer technology.
Philippine court blocks government’s effort to close news outlet that criticized former president
A Philippine appeals court has reversed a regulator’s 2018 order to shut down a prominent news outlet, marking a legal victory for journalists who angered former President Rodrigo Duterte by reporting critically on his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs and alarming human rights record.
Philippines' Marcos says 'not one person died' as police make huge drug bust, in dig at predecessor
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says police have seized the largest haul of methamphetamine in the country in years without anybody being killed, in a subtle criticism of his predecessor’s notoriously deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.
The Philippines says it won't let China remove a Filipino military outpost on a disputed shoal
The Philippine navy says it will not allow China to remove a Philippine military outpost in a fiercely disputed South China Sea shoal where four Filipino navy personnel were injured in a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine ships.
Ex-Philippine leader Duterte assails Marcos, accusing him of plotting to expand his grip on power
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is throwing allegations at his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and even raising the prospect of removing him from office.
Marcos says China showing interest in South China Sea atolls closer to coast of the Philippines
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr_ says the situation for his nation in the South China Sea “has become more dire.”.
Ex-Philippine senator who fought Duterte's harsh drug crackdown is free on bail after long detention
A Philippine court has freed on bail of a former senator jailed more than six years ago on drug charges she said were fabricated to silence her investigation of then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs.
Trump's intensifying rhetoric offers insight into how he might govern again as president
Over the past two weeks, Donald Trump said shoplifters should be immediately shot, suggested that America’s top general be executed and mocked a political opponent’s husband who was beaten with a hammer.
Nobel winner Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion though she faces 2 more legal cases
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has been acquitted of a final tax evasion charge though she still faces two remaining legal cases she believes the former Philippine president used to muzzle her critical reporting.
Philippine court acquits former justice secretary of drug charges after key witnesses said they lied
A former Philippine opposition senator and justice secretary has been acquitted of drug charges after key witnesses recanted and said they lied about her involvement in trafficking.
Intl judges reopen Philippines 'war on drugs' investigation
International Criminal Court judges have cleared the way for the court’s prosecution office to resume its investigation into the so-called war on drugs in the Philippines.
Nobel winner Maria Ressa, news outlet cleared of tax evasion
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and her news company have been cleared of tax evasion charges she said were among legal cases used by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting.
Philippine police chief offers to quit over drug-linked cops
The Philippine national police chief says he has tendered his resignation to encourage nearly a thousand other police officials to heed an official appeal for them to resign en masse to regain public trust after some enforcers were implicated in drug trafficking.
Philippines protesters decry alleged injustices under Marcos
Hundreds of people have marched in the Philippine capital protesting what they say is a rising number of extrajudicial killings and other injustices under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The protesters, led by the rights groups alliance Karapatan, gathered at a public square on Saturday before marching toward the presidential palace in Manila to demand justice for victims.
Philippine prisons chief charged in journalist's killing
Philippine authorities have filed murder complaints against the country’s top prisons official and an aide, accusing them of masterminding the killing of a radio commentator.
Russia asks Philippines to honor helicopter purchase deal
Russia wants the Philippine government to honor a signed contract to purchase 16 military heavy-lift helicopters, which the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte had cancelled due to fears of possible U.S. sanctions.
US firepower showcased in Philippine joint combat drills
Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as China’s growing aggression.
Philippine ex-senator briefly held hostage in jail rampage
Philippine police have killed three detained militants linked to the Islamic State group after they stabbed a jail officer and briefly held a detained former opposition senator in a failed escape attempt at the police headquarters in the capital region.
Motorcycle-riding gunmen kill Philippine radio commentator
Motorcycle-riding gunmen have killed a longtime radio commentator in metropolitan Manila in the latest attack on a member of the media in the Philippines, considered one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.
Philippine kids back in school after 2 years lost to virus
Millions of students wearing face masks are streaming back to schools across the Philippines for their first in-person classes after two years of coronavirus lockdowns that are feared to have worsened alarming illiteracy rates among children.
US lawmakers meet detained Philippine opposition leader
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, who was once banned from the Philippines by former President Rodrigo Duterte, has met a long-detained Filipino opposition leader, whom he says was wrongfully imprisoned under Duterte and should be freed.
Ressa says Philippine courts to decide Rappler closure order
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa says her Rappler news website is operating as usual and will let Philippine courts decide on an order to close the outlet.
Intl court prosecutor seeks to reactivate Philippines probe
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has asked judges for authorization to resume his investigation into the so-called war on drugs in the Philippines.
Duterte's daughter takes oath as Philippine vice president
Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing populist president of the Philippines, has taken her oath as vice president following a landslide electoral victory she clinched despite her father’s human rights record that saw thousands of drug suspects gunned down.
Salvadoran leader rebuffs Blinken effort to bolster summit
In the run-up to this week's Summit of the Americas, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador rebuffed attempts by U.S. officials to set up a phone call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Marcos Jr proclaimed next Philippine president with huge win
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been proclaimed the next president of the Philippines by a joint session of Congress following a landslide electoral triumph 36 years after his dictator father was ousted in a pro-democracy uprising.
Duterte hits Putin: I kill criminals, not children, elders
Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sharply criticized Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the killings of innocent civilians in Ukraine, saying while the two of them have been tagged as killers, “I kill criminals, I don’t kill children and the elderly.”.
Allies of Marcos Jr. set to dominate Philippine Congress
Allies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the presumptive next president of the Philippines, appear set to dominate both chambers of Congress, alarming activists after the late dictator son's apparent election victory restored his family to the seat of power.
Biden hosts ASEAN leaders as he tries to show Pacific focus
President Joe Biden is hosting leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as his administration tries to show that the United States hasn’t lost focus on the Pacific.
New generation of Marcos, Duterte set to lead Philippines
The powerful alliance between the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte is set to usher in six years of governance in the Philippines that are concerning to human rights activists.
Marcos Jr. won Philippine presidency, unofficial count shows
The namesake son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos appears to have been elected Philippine president in an astonishing reversal of the 1986 “People Power” revolt that ousted his father.
Dictator's son far ahead in Philippine presidential vote
The son and namesake of ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos has taken a commanding lead in an unofficial count in the presidential election in the deeply divided Asian democracy.
Dictator’s son, rights lawyer vie for Philippine presidency
Voters in the Philippines will be choosing their next leader between the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a human rights lawyer, the current Vice President Leni Robredo.
US, Filipino forces hold combat drills on beach facing China
U.S. and Filipino marines staged combat exercises involving the mock defense of an island from aggressors in a northern Philippine town facing the sea border with China.
Ukraine invasion spotlights the delicate state of democracy
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine advances a global anti-democratic trend — one that has seen strongmen, some elected, nudge their nations toward dictatorship and ignore once-solid democratic norms.
Typhoon deaths in Philippines top 140; mayors plead for food
The death toll in the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year has reached at least 146, and the governor of an island province especially hard-hit by Typhoon Rai said there may be even greater devastation that has yet to be reported.
Typhoon leaves 31 dead, many homes roofless in Philippines
A powerful typhoon has left at least 31 people dead in the Philippines, knocked down power and cellphone services in entire provinces and wrought widespread destruction.
Typhoon leaves 19 dead, many homes roofless in Philippines
A powerful typhoon has left at least 19 people dead in the Philippines, knocked down power and cellphone services in entire provinces and wrought widespread destruction.
Filipino journalist shot dead while watching TV in store
A gunman has shot and killed a journalist while he was watching TV at a store in a central Philippine city, in a brazen attack in what has long been regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists.
Philippine church leader charged with child sex trafficking
The leader of a Philippines-based church has been charged with having sex with underage girls who faced threats of “eternal damnation” unless they catered to the self-proclaimed “son of God.”.
China coast guard uses water cannon against Philippine boats
The Philippines says Chinese coast guard ships have blocked and sprayed a powerful stream of water at two of its ships carrying supplies to troops at a disputed South China Sea shoal, prompting Manila to warn Beijing that the vessels are covered by a mutual defense treaty with the United States.
Philippine president's daughter to run for vice president
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter has registered her candidacy for vice president in next year’s elections and was chosen as the running mate of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the late dictator's son, in an alliance that has alarmed activists.
Official says journalist's Nobel Prize not a slap on Duterte
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has belatedly congratulated journalist Maria Ressa for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Philippine leader Duterte announces retirement from politics
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he is backing out of an announced plan to run for vice president in next year’s elections and will retire from politics after his term ends.
Pacquiao files bid for presidency as Philippine race heats
Newly retired boxing star Manny Pacquiao has filed his certificate of candidacy for the Philippine presidency at the start of the registration period for the May elections.
Philippines' Duterte will 'die first' before facing ICC
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s top legal adviser has lashed out at the International Criminal Court’s decision to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity during his bloody war on drugs, accusing the body of being used as a pawn by the popular leader’s political opponents as an election nears.
ICC judges authorize probe into Philippines' 'war on drugs'
International Criminal Court judges have authorized an investigation into the Philippines’ deadly “war on drugs” campaign, saying the crackdown “cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation.”.
Thousands jam Philippine vaccination sites over false news
Thousands of people have jammed coronavirus vaccination centers in the Philippine capital after false news spread that unvaccinated residents would be deprived of cash aid or barred from leaving home during a two-week lockdown.
Philippine leader recalls decision to void US security pact
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has retracted a decision to end a key defense pact with the United States, allowing large-scale combat exercises between U.S. and Philippine forces that at times have alarmed China to proceed.
The Latest: US health officials to release new COVID-19 data
U.S. health officials are expected to release new data about the spread of COVID-19 on Friday that led to their decision to recommend that vaccinated people wear masks in some situations, a reversal of previous guidance.
Philippine leader unabashedly threatens to kill drug dealers
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has unabashedly renewed a threat to kill drug dealers in his final state of the nation speech, while defending his nonconfrontational approach in the country’s territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
Philippine military's worst air disaster kills 52, wounds 51
Philippine troops found the last five dead from the crash of a transport aircraft in the south and two wounded survivors died, raising the death toll to 52 in the military’s worst air disaster.
Late Philippine leader hailed for integrity, guts vs China
Late Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is being remembered for his integrity in a Southeast Asian nation long plagued by corruption and for standing up to China over long-raging territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Duterte threatens to arrest Filipinos who refuse vaccination
The Philippine president has threatened to order the arrest of Filipinos who refuse COVID-19 vaccination and told them to leave the country if they would not cooperate to contain the pandemic.
Philippines: Int'l court probe of drug killings is insulting
A spokesman says Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will never cooperate with a International Criminal Court investigation into the thousands of killings under his anti-drugs crackdown.
The Latest: W Virginia steps up prizes for vaccination
West Virginia will step up its prizes for vaccines, enrolling all residents who have received a coronavirus shot into a lottery for the chance to win a college scholarship, an F-150 pickup truck or cash rewards.
Restrictions reimposed as virus resurges in much of Asia
Across much of Asia, taxi drivers are starved for customers, weddings are suddenly canceled, schools are closed, and restaurant service is restricted as the coronavirus comes surging back in countries where it had seemed to be well under control.
The Latest: New Mexico adopts CDC guidance on facemasks
New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases.
The Latest: Philippine president eases lockdown in capital
The Philippine president has eased a coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held.
The Latest: Washington Gov criticized for reopening plan
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is receiving criticism from lawmakers in his own party over his shifting economic reopening plan, with a group of Democrats from the state’s second most populous county threatening the possibility of a special legislative session.