While the timing of the Australian attackers’ trip to the Philippines warrants scrutiny, the Islamic State’s presence in the country is much diminished today.

The southern Philippines once drew small numbers of foreign militants aligned with al-Qaida or the Islamic State group to train in a secessionist conflict involving minority Muslims in the largely Catholic nation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been scrambling to quell public outrage over the massive corruption blamed for substandard, defective or nonexistent flood control projects.

Reports of Meghan Markle’s dad, Thomas Markle, having a major leg surgery have taken over the internet. While he has been recovering in the Philippines, a source revealed that the Duchess of Sussex allegedly has no plans to visit him.

Vietnam lost to the Philippines on penalties in the SEA Games women’s football final, a game that they scored a valid goal but was disallowed.

Sajid and Naveed Akram, accused in the Bondi Beach killings, visited the Philippines last month, reportedly traveling on Indian passports. Philippine authorities are investigating their purpose and activities there,

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Tuesday denounced what he described as "dangerous" and "inhumane" actions by Chinese maritime forces against Filipino fishermen in a contested South China Sea shoal last week.

Chinese coast guard ships have used powerful water cannons and blocking maneuvers against 20 Philippine fishing boats off a disputed South China Sea shoal.