In December 2017, the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte requested to extend martial law on the southern island of Mindanao for another year. Citing the need to fight Islamist terrorists and communists, martial law would need to be extended until the end of 2018. “There is a need for me to come up with something, otherwise Mindanao will blow apart,” Duterte told the media then.

Ever since the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the preliminary examination of Rodrigo Duterte on 8 February 2018, the president of the Republic of the Philippines has been having a hard time clarifying his stand on the ICC’s actions.

Southeast Asia might finally see nuclear energy for the first time ever. Recently, Russia has been urging Manila to consider the use of nuclear energy.

While the ICC’s preliminary examination against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity is unlikely to change his stance on the war against drugs, much debate also exists as to whether the case will eventually see the light of an actual investigation.“It will not stop the war on drugs.

It was February 1986 when a decision had to be made by then Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos, through a desperate telephone conversation with Senator Paul Laxalt at the White House. "Senator," a jaded Marcos asked, "What do you think? Should I step down?"Laxalt replied, "I think you should cut, and cut cleanly.

In recent times, China has been strengthening its relations with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. The two parties have agreed on a series of new initiatives to grow bilateral ties and towards the later part of this year, are expected to hold their first joint naval drills.

It has been just over 100 days since the Battle of Marawi, the military siege that lasted five months, from May to October last year. The Manila Times reported in October that over 47 civilians and around 970 militant terrorists were killed. Conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the coalition of Islamic State (IS) militants resulted in destruction of the city as a result of firefights, bombings and air strikes.

Sabah, located in the northern half of the island of Borneo has been at the centre of a diplomatic row between Malaysia and the Philippines – which claims much of its eastern half – since the early 1960s. Currently, Sabah remains under the sovereignty of Malaysia and the matter has laid dormant for many years.

Human rights are rights that are fundamental to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, or religion. However, due to the diverse cultures and varying political structures in Southeast Asia, tackling human rights issues remains a major hurdle for the region.

The Philippines is likely to be able to fund its Build, Build, Build infrastructure project (2016-2020) under its 10-point Socio-Economic Agenda, but it may face setbacks in terms of labour to make it happen. GDP growth for the Philippines' was recorded at 6.7% last year, according to Moody's Analytics and larger spending on infrastructure, will help it to sustain long term growth.