Philippines

Philippine delegates walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the assembly, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed. The Philippines joined a larger group of delegations exiting during the speech, a gesture of protest that drew wide attention and debate online about Manila's shift in stance toward Israel.

The European Union and the Philippines have achieved a breakthrough in trade negotiations, prompting speculation that a broader trade agreement covering the whole Association of Southeast Asian Nations could follow. Observers are watching whether Brussels will build on the bilateral progress with Manila to pursue a region-wide deal with Asean, deepening economic ties with Southeast Asia.

A new documentary revisits the Jason Ivler road rage murder case, one of the Philippines' most notorious crimes. Ivler killed Renato Ebarle Jr. in a 2009 traffic altercation in Quezon City and later wounded officers during a 2010 raid before his arrest. The retrospective is drawing renewed attention and discussion among Filipino audiences about the case and its aftermath.

The Philippines has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed that maritime disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through international law rather than force. The statement ties Manila's position on the Middle East conflict to its own territorial disagreements with China, underscoring its advocacy for a rules-based international order.

Commentary argues the Philippines' electric vehicle strategy risks falling behind if it ignores regional ASEAN dynamics. Neighbouring Southeast Asian economies are building EV supply chains, attracting manufacturing investment and setting market standards, and the country's push could be undermined without coordination on trade, components and policy. The piece urges Manila to treat the regional bloc as central rather than peripheral to its EV plans.

The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology is investigating a data breach involving 48 companies. Authorities have not yet detailed which firms were affected or what data was compromised. The incident adds to growing concerns over cybersecurity weaknesses in the country, and officials are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses.

The Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology is investigating a possible data breach involving the Environmental Management Bureau. The probe will seek to determine whether personal or government data was compromised and how the suspected breach occurred. No details on the scale of the incident or affected parties have been released yet.

Authorities in Palawan, the Philippines, have recovered 33 animals during an operation against illegal wildlife trade. The rescue highlights ongoing efforts to combat trafficking in the province, which is known for its rich biodiversity and has been a focus of conservation enforcement. Details on the species involved and any arrests have not yet been released.

The European Union is looking to expand its involvement in the Luzon Economic Corridor, the infrastructure and connectivity project linking Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas in the Philippines. The corridor, launched under the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, is seen as a Western-led alternative to Chinese Belt and Road projects, and Manila has welcomed outside investment.

The Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology is investigating a potential data breach involving roughly 410 files from 48 cybersecurity firms enrolled in its DTAP accreditation program. The exposed records reportedly include sensitive corporate information, raising questions about the security of a government program meant to vet security providers. Observers note the irony of cybersecurity firms being affected in an incident tied to a state accreditation scheme.

Tropical Storm Surigae is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on September 24, according to weather updates circulating online. Once inside, the state weather bureau PAGASA would assign it the local name Queenie. The report cites an early-morning forecast bulletin and has drawn attention among Filipinos monitoring the storm's track.

The Philippine government has called for diplomacy and international law to be used in resolving conflicts around the world. The statement, carried by the Philippine News Agency, frames Manila's position as favouring peaceful, rules-based settlement of disputes rather than force. Few further details were given about which specific conflicts the appeal was directed at.

Rappler explores 'An Sayaw nin mga Salampati' and the enduring struggle for human rights in the Bicol region of the Philippines. The piece connects the work to local memories of martial law-era abuses and the activists and families who continue to seek accountability, framing the dance as a symbol of resilience in a region long marked by political violence.

China's Coast Guard has carried out multi-vessel exercises near Huangyan Dao, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea. The waterway is contested between China and the Philippines, and Chinese maritime drills there regularly draw scrutiny from Manila and regional observers. Announcement of the exercises circulated with the hashtag #CoolChina among pro-China accounts.