Country
Philippines
- China's defence minister skips ASEAN defence ministers' meeting in Cebu, sending military attaché instead
China's defence ministry said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that its minister would not attend this week's ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Cebu, the Philippines, and that the defence attaché at China's embassy in the Philippines would attend instead. Japan's defence minister Koizumi had said he wanted a 'frank exchange' with his Chinese counterpart during the meeting, and said as he left for the Philippines that his ministry had not confirmed whether China's minister would come. Amid continuing China-Japan tensions, there had been interest in whether the two defence chiefs would meet.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Two Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainer planes collide over air base in Lipa, Batangas, killing all 4 pilots
The Philippine Air Force confirmed on Saturday, Oct 24, that two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, on the afternoon of Oct 23, killing all four pilots on board. Officials said the planes collided at low altitude and fell within the base, with no one hurt on the ground. The air force grounded its entire SF-260 fleet pending investigation; another SF-260 crashed in the mountains of the northern Philippines in May this year, killing two pilots.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Philippines offers 50 million peso bounty for ICC-wanted Senator Ronald dela Rosa
Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla announced at a press conference on Friday, Oct 23, a reward of 50 million pesos (about $786,000) for the capture of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, calling him 'armed and dangerous'. Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, was the main enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign; the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in November 2025, and he has been in hiding since it was unsealed in May. Duterte is due to go on trial on Nov 30 for alleged crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Rubio confirms first Quad leaders' summit in over two years will be held in Manila next month
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in an interview with Indian television on Tuesday that the leaders' summit of the Quad, grouping the US, Japan, India and Australia, will be held next month in Manila during the ASEAN meetings, the first in more than two years; no date has been set. The summit will take place days before Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping in Shenzhen. Rubio is visiting India this week, including an event in Mumbai with the US ambassador, in a trip aimed at strengthening economic ties amid strained relations.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro summons Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over 'easy win' remarks
The Philippine foreign ministry said on Oct 19 that Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to express serious concern and strong objection to his remarks to media last week, calling them provocative, unacceptable and conveying a threat of force. Jing had said China would win easily in any conflict but loves peace and would not use force, and that the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbour, after the Philippine defence secretary called China a regional troublemaker. RFI reported the presidential palace said it would not declare Jing persona non grata.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Philippine senators press Chinese ambassador to apologise or be declared persona non grata
Following remarks by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan involving the use of force against the Philippines, Philippine Senator JV Ejercito said on Oct 18 that the Senate is considering a resolution on the dispute between the Chinese embassy and Filipino lawmakers, RFI reports. Some senators want the ambassador to apologise or be declared persona non grata. The Chinese embassy replied: 'Please hurry up.'
Oct 19, 2026 Morning