Rappler's latest stories on islands in the Philippines
First time: PH Navy ship docks at Pag-asa Island
A new port and beaching ramp near completion on the country's largest outpost in the West Philippine Sea
Duterte to 'fill up' Negros Island with military troops
'I will never declare martial law, except in Mindanao because it is really needed there, because of rebellion,' says President Rodrigo Duterte, as he ruled out a martial law declaration in Negros Island
Boracay draws 619,000 tourists in 1st quarter of 2019
The figure is slightly higher than the number of visitors during the 1st quarter of 2018. A little over half of tourists are foreigners, mostly from China and South Korea.
400 cops to conduct patrols when Boracay reopens
Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde says the additional deployment would be part of security forces' reorganization in the island
WATCH: Cops, soldiers simulate hostage-taking, bomb threat in Boracay
Authorities rehearse responses to possible threats ahead of the island's reopening to tourists
Condé Nast Traveler names Siargao as best island in Asia
The surf paradise emerges on top in the publication's 2018 Readers' Choice Awards, followed by Boracay and Palawan
Malay council wants extended operation of Boracay police task force
Malay police and town council members agree that the Metro Boracay Police Task Force should continue to operate after the island is reopened to tourists
PNP invites tourists: Come to Boracay, you are safe here
After 6 months of rehabilitation, the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) has scheduled a soft opening on October 16 to October 25 for local tourists
Palawan, Cebu on 2018 World’s Best Islands list
The two islands are no strangers to Travel + Leisure’s annual ranking
China deploys new weapons systems to Paracel Islands
Nearby, the Philippines begins 'long-delayed repairs' to its runway on the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, says the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
More than 1,600 Chinese structures in South China Sea
From basketball courts to buildings with radar equipment, nearly 800 of these Chinese structures can be found in the West Philippine Sea
Beijing denies 'militarization' of South China Sea
'The South China Sea islands are Chinese territories,' says China foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang, adding this is 'part of the normal training for the Chinese military'
LTO Western Visayas wants 1,800 ‘unregistered’ vehicles out of Boracay
‘This is not confiscation of vehicles. This is clearing Boracay of unregistered vehicles and submitting them for registration,’ says Land Transportation Office Region VI Director Rolando Ramos
DENR gives 75 business owners in Coron a month to remove illegal structures
DENR Mimaropa Regional Director Natividad Bernardino warns establishment owners not to deal with impostors posing as environment officials and are out to extort from them
PH, China silent on artificial islands after meeting
The Philippines and China say they 'had a frank, cordial exchange of views' on the West Philippine Sea, but stay silent on China's island building
Indonesia offers repatriation for ‘newfound’ citizens in the Philippines
Indonesian Sangirs in Mindanao are now given a choice to adopt Indonesian citizenship and relocate to Sulawesi
China hits PH over Lorenzana trip to Pag-asa
UPDATED China says it is gravely concerned about and dissatisfied with this move by the Philippine government
PH Navy awaits leased surveillance planes from Japan
The first batch of 2 TC 90 maritime patrol aircraft is arriving on March 27
China eyeing air defense zone over South China Sea – report
The trigger for an announcement would be if the United States continues making provocative moves that would challenge China in the region the South China Morning Post reports
Navy rescues 102 tourists stranded in Masbate
The local tourists mostly from Metro Manila are on a 3 day island hopping activity and get stranded on Sombrero Island
Taiwan leader defends disputed island visit after US criticism
UPDATED His trip comes as several other claimants have been beefing up their military presence in the disputed region
Defying China, Filipino youth camp out on disputed island
On Facebook the group urges President Benigno Aquino III to inform the people correctly without sugar coating the truth about Chinese invasion of our Exclusive Economic Zone
PH warned China meltdown more worrisome than Greek crisis
Should China s market fall accelerate other countries outside Asia will be hit economists warn
PH not reclaiming in South China Sea: ‘Let photos speak’
The Philippine military dismisses Beijing’s attempt to weaken Manila s arbitration case
Appeal for Mary Jane, Lacson eyes presidency, Oscar dela Hoya | The wRap
The Philippines files a ‘stronger’ appeal for Mary Jane Former Senator Ping Lacson considers running for president Oscar dela Hoya blasts referee in superfight
Chinese frigate shoos away PH plane on West PH Sea patrol
A well placed Rappler source in the military says the Chinese frigate was calling out the Philippine plane for getting a little too close to its location
Philippines to ASEAN: 'Speak in one voice' vs reclamation
At the upcoming ASEAN Summit Philippines will stress the progress of China s reclamation activities since Manila raised the alarm in 2014
Survey Spratlys before it's too late, Philippines urged
China s artificial islands in the South China Sea can make it impossible to settle the Philippines historic case against the Asian giant a US based analyst says
Travel to see Balut Volcano and the hot springs of Sarangani
It s not easy to get there but those who make the journey to the town of Sarangani are rewarded with beautiful views of this unspoiled travel destination
Rediscovering, revisiting Palumbanes Island
Seeing the stars come out watching children at play beach hopping giving back These are just some of the writer s favorite things to do in this small beautiful island
Looting of historical shipwreck in Subic probed
Police have filed charges against 5 men caught carrying salvage of vessels from the site of perhaps the largest number of sunken ships since World War II
Head to 'Borawan' and these 5 unspoiled PH beaches
Don t have time to book a flight? Consider camping at one of these beautiful beaches that are only a few hours away from Manila
Beautiful Batanes: 10 things to do
Here are 10 ways to enjoy the beauty of Batanes
Dinagat: Ecleo mother defeats daughter
Dinagat Islands Vice Gov Jade Ecleo’s fight with her mother Gov Glenda Ecleo was one of the most defiant but painful political battles in the midterm polls
Released: 8 overstaying Pinoys in Turks and Caicos
Filipinos in Caribbean Islands contributed funds for their return tickets
Japan seeks defense ties with ASEAN amid China rows
On top of the growing maturity of our economic cooperation Japan and ASEAN need to further strengthen ties in the field of security and defense
Navy ship to fetch Pinoys in Turtle Islands
BRP Sultan Kudarat will fetch 480 Filipinos and distribute supplies
PHOTOS: Batobalani Festival
In the town of Bato Leyte a less commercialized festival for the Child Jesus is also celebrated
Turn South China Sea into a marine reserve?
Netizens debate on a top environmental lawyer s proposal to turn the South China Sea into a marine reserve amid the ongoing Scarborough Shoal standoff
PH to raise China dispute with US
What we are saying is that maybe they US should be apprised of what is happening in the Scarborough issue says Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez
PH: We are prepared to defend Scarborough
Manila has lodged a diplomatic protest over the standoff insisting that the Scarborough Panatag Shoal is an integral part of the Philippines
Corona has P12-M in BPI, says manager
This is on top of his P20 M deposits in PSBank as of December 2010
