Philippines

• Singaporean Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong sent a letter of condolence to Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following a tragic earthquake. • The disaster occurred in Mindanao, Philippines, on June 8, 2026, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. • This diplomatic gesture underscores the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations during times of regional crisis.

‘Coastal uplift’ exposes coral and kills marine life, as residents say shorelines extended by up to 200 metresA powerful earthquake that killed at least 61 people in the Philippines this week raised the seabed by as much as 2 metres (6.6 feet), exposing coral and harming marine life, the environment department said on Sunday.At least 40 people are still missing after the 7.8-magnitude tremor in southern Mindanao island on Monday, according to updated tolls from the disaster agency. Continue reading...

• A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, resulting in at least 55 confirmed deaths. • The quake caused widespread destruction across the region, leaving a trail of collapsed buildings and damaged infrastructure. • This event marks the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines in several decades, highlighting the country's extreme vulnerability to seismic activity.

• A major earthquake in the Philippines has affected over 400,000 people and resulted in 47 confirmed deaths. • Four days after the disaster, humanitarian organization CARE reports that access to isolated communities in Mindanao remains an urgent priority. • The situation is critical as thousands of survivors in remote areas are currently cut off from essential aid and emergency services.

• Rappler interviewed researcher Minh Phuong Vu to analyze the strategic significance of the Philippines and Vietnam elevating their bilateral ties. • The discussion focuses on the evolution of Vietnam's foreign policy and the shared security challenges both nations face regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea. • This alignment matters as it reflects shifting security tendencies and alignment patterns within Southeast Asia amidst regional tensions.

People told to prepare for waves of up to three metres in parts of the Philippines, with smaller waves possible in Indonesia and MalaysiaA magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook part of the southern Philippines early on Monday, sparking tsunami warnings on some regional coasts, collapsing some houses and killing at least one person.“Many buildings were affected, but I cannot enumerate them now because we are busy with ongoing rescues,” Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City police told Agence France-Presse. Continue reading...

• South Korea experienced a significant tourism boom in April, with Seoul alone welcoming over 1.5 million foreign visitors. • China emerged as the primary driver of this surge, leading other major contributing markets including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. • The influx of tourists resulted in a massive economic boost, with total visitor spending soaring to 1.15 trillion won.