⌛ I have been warned

I was talking to a lady who presently teaches in China, but is from the Philippines. This is a good lady from what I have come to know, however, when I was talking to her on a recent conversation, she warned me that the Philippines really is a dangerous place. Now, I'm going to be moving to the Philippines in September, and maybe as soon as August if I'm fortunate, but anyway, her comment took me by surprise. So, even some Filipinos worry about safety in their own country. So, I thought I would ask any of you what, if any, are your bad experiences, and what are the dangers you have personally experienced, not heard about, but actually experienced since living in country? I honestly appreciate anyone who will respond with their thoughts and experiences.

 

The Philippines, as a whole, is no more dangerous than any European or western country,...........as long as one is not stupid and has some "street smarts".

 

Security!

As said many times, where ever you are, try hard not to be in the Wrong Place at the Wrong time, NOT just the PI but anywhere in this world To-Day


Jack P.

 

It has always been a subject that causes concerns.
As far as that goes Mindanao seems to be the most feared place for both Filipinos and Foreigners, however it is only certain parts and certain times that travel to those parts should receive caution. I have in-laws there and have visited the place many times.
Philipines overall is a friendly place, just take the normal precautions you would back home.

 

We often travel to far flung places, as well as inner city squatter's areas, for business, places that are supposedly 'dangerous". We have never felt threatened anywhere. This is much more than I can say for my home town in Oregon USA.

One thing that is common among Filipinos, anywhere outside their little realm is "dangerous". If you are traveling, and one asks where you are going, they will tell you "oh, it's very dangerous there". When you get there, and tell them where you just came from, "Oh, and you got out alive?!?"

Anywhere outside of their little community is dangerous.

If you can't run with the big dogs, stay under the porch!



Larry

 

I was in Mindanao the danger zone for foreigners and had a good time and saw no danger but at the long wait at the airport to depart i read the local news paper and the rebels had the mayor absent from work for about a year with bullet holes around his bedroom window,the locals told me its most likely the mayor is a gangster... Maybe chinese made products are very dangerous in philippines...I will hope well for that filipina woman living in china in fear of the filippines. I get more abuse and harassment in Hawaii ("paradise")per year than i have here in 1 year...Traffic here maybe rough??

 

I often go to arguably the largest NPA area in Negros Oriental, Santa Catalina Mountain area and have never been bothered. Like most places, it is unwise to go to certain areas late at night, there are drugs everywhere now days and the bad guys need money to buy. Many people, including myself, have security grills on all their windows and bolt door locks, you just sleep better with them.

 

The Philippines is the friendliest place I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Now, Miami's Liberty City, Bostons Combat Zone, San Francisco's Tenderloin, LA's South Central, Houstons Third Ward, the Bronx in NYC .. ect...
Now those are dangerous places.

 

I appreciate the responses, and thought as much in that you just do the normal common sense precautions. I look forward to finally being there to start enjoying the Philippines firsthand. It has been a long process in working towards it, but I'm glad to be near the goal line.

 

I agree with John Boy that Mindanao is the most feared place but not all places there is dangerous. Negros Oriental is pretty safe so far.