Mortar explosions rock the city of Zamboanga soon after MNLF rebels release five civilian hostages to government forces
the Philippines
Filipino Rebels Clash With Government, Take Hostages
Three dead and about a dozen civilians taken hostage in a standoff in Zamboanga City, hub for U.S. counterterrorism efforts
Filipino Journalists Call For Action After Murderous Month
With five journalists killed in a little over a month, Aquino’s government continues to struggle to put an end to lethal violence against media workers
No End in Sight to the Energy Crisis That Plagues the Philippines
The rolling power outages still bedevil the country, raising concerns about the sustainability of one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies
Every Three Hours Someone in the Philippines Gets HIV
Chris Lagman vividly remembers the night that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) came into his life. It was two years ago, and the LGBT activist was at a pre-Christmas dinner party in Quezon City with a dozen gay Filipino …
Waging War at the Court of the Sultan of Sulu
The Sultan of Sulu’s Manila home lies in a poor Muslim neighborhood in the south of the Philippine capital. Its high walls are festooned with royal banners weighted down by repurposed plastic soda bottles. Advertisements for …
Filipino Faces Jail Time for ‘Offending Religious Feelings’
Filipino activist Carlos Celdran faces jail time for “offending religious feelings”
Culture Wars: After a Decade of Debate, the Philippines Passes Reproductive Health Bill
Filipino legislators on Monday approved a law that will allow the government to provide basic funding for sex education and contraceptives.
Asia’s Passport Wars: Chinese Map Triggers Diplomatic Firestorm
Grumbling over territory and marine boundaries, China and India and Vietnam go titting and tatting with pieces of paper.
Sitting on a Gold Mine: Will Mining Make or Break the Philippines?
The Philippine government believes bolstering extractive industries will drive growth. But religious leaders and environmentalists wonder about the cost
The Global Occupy Movement Makes Its Last Stand in Hong Kong
The city’s protest camp is the final torchbearer for the 99%. But how much longer can the Occupiers hold out?
Must-Reads from Around the World
Military stakes set to rise in Asia-Pacific, Bangladesh forcefully tries to keep its place as a low-cost export powerhouse and fresh leaks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Turf Wars: A Guide to East Asia’s Troubled Waters
This is not just about China. Depending on the dispute, it’s also South Korea vs. Japan, Japan vs. Taiwan, Taiwan vs. Vietnam, Vietnam vs. Cambodia, and numerous other permutations.