Philippines

• 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.

• Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. positioned the Philippines as a "point of convergence" for regional stability during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31. • Teodoro explicitly criticized China for its continued refusal to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award regarding maritime disputes in the South China Sea. • The Secretary raised alarms over alleged espionage and foreign influence activities targeting the Philippines and other nations within the Indo-Pacific.

• A Philippine minister stated that the country remains under severe territorial and political threat from China, despite the diplomatic outcomes of the Trump-Xi summit. • The tension stems from repeated maritime standoffs in the South China Sea, where Beijing continues to assert expansive claims over waters. • These claims were largely discredited by a 2016 arbitration ruling, yet they overlap with the maritime territories of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially assumed the leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after receiving the gavel from Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim in October. • The Philippines faces a challenging tenure focused on managing South China Sea diplomacy, finalizing a regional digital economy agreement, and executing a dense administrative agenda. • Success for Manila depends on its ability to transition ASEAN from a consultative body into a more operational and effective organization.

• The Philippines launched an independent truth commission on Wednesday to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings resulting from the government's "war on drugs." • Led by a former International Criminal Court judge, the panel aims to document atrocities and compile evidence for potential future legal proceedings. • The initiative targets the signature policy of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who campaigned on a platform of killing thousands of drug dealers and criminals.

• The Philippines launched an independent truth panel on Wednesday to investigate the bloody "war on drugs" associated with former President Rodrigo Duterte. • Led by a former International Criminal Court judge, the commission aims to document alleged extrajudicial killings and compile evidence for potential legal proceedings. • The initiative addresses the fallout from Duterte's signature policy, which centered on promises to eliminate thousands of drug dealers and criminals.

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• Singapore has officially become the largest stock market in Southeast Asia as of May 21, 2026, reaching a total market capitalization of $645 billion. • Other major regional markets follow closely, with Indonesia ranking second at $618 billion, Thailand third at $577 billion, Vietnam fourth at $521 billion, and the Philippines fifth at $200 billion. • This shift highlights Singapore's growing dominance as a primary financial hub for the region, attracting significant investment and capital.