Philippines

Tsunami warnings issued after earthquake strikes off the coast of southern Philippines

By Associated Press

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Saturday off the southern Philippine coast, prompting many villagers to flee their homes in panic around midnight after Philippine authorities issued a tsunami warning.

Philippine government and communist rebels agree to resume talks on ending their protracted conflict

By Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press

Norway's foreign ministry says high-ranking delegations from both sides met in Oslo last week and agreed to a "common vision for peace" that sought to address key obstacles.

Chinese ships block, pursue Philippine vessels as U.S. renews warning it will defend its ally

By Jim Gomez, Joeal Calupitan, Associated Press

As a U.S. Navy surveillance plane flew in circles, keeping a close watch, dozens of Chinese coast guard and accompanying ships chased and encircled Philippine vessels in the latest confrontation in one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the South…

Japan and Philippine leaders agree to negotiate a defense pact and boost ties amid China’s aggression

By Jim Gomez, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press

The move is part of efforts to fortify their alliance in the face of China's alarming assertiveness in the region.

Gases from Philippine volcano sicken dozens of children, prompting school closures in nearby towns

By Associated Press

Authorities say there is no imminent threat of a major eruption of Taal Volcano, which remains at a low level of unrest in Batangas province south of Manila.

2 Philippine supply boats breach Chinese coast guard blockade in hotly contested South China Sea

By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press

It's the latest flare-up from territorial disputes in the busy sea that has become a delicate fault line in the U.S.-China rivalry.

Typhoon Doksuri slams into the northern Philippines, leaving at least 2 dead and thousands displaced

By Jim Gomez, Associated Press

The typhoon slammed into Fuga Island before dawn and later made landfall in another island off Aparri town in Cagayan province, where more than 15,000 people were evacuated from high-risk coastal villages.

International probe into Philippines ‘war on drugs’ resumes

By Mike Corder, Associated Press

Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that an investigation into the Philippines deadly "war on drugs" can resume.

Philippine ferry catches fire at sea, coast guard rescues all 120 people aboard

By Associated Press

All 120 passengers and crew members aboard a Philippine ferry that caught fire at sea on Sunday were rescued safely and the fire was extinguished, the coast guard said.

Mount Mayon, the Philippines’ most active volcano, spews lava as locals evacuate

By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press

The Philippines' most active volcano has begun spewing lava in a gentle eruption, putting thousands of people on heightened alert for the possibility of a violent explosion that would force them to suddenly evacuate from their homes, authorities said Monday.