⌛ Gangs of Dumaguete

I have no money!!

I think perhaps the real fear some people have, including me, is that unlike in the U.S. where I would blend in completely and am not a particular target of criminal activity, the foreigners stick out like a big swollen thumb.
Besides the general crime statistics (which mixes all the crimes in a single pot, which i think is less meaningful to foreigners living here--for example, we have nothing to do with the political killings), i wonder what the comparative stats are for crimes committed against foreigners per 100,000 residents among, say Thailand, Philippines and other "retirement havens".
It IS unsettling to have people constantly look at you wherever you go. It is understandable that some paranoid people might think that some evil locals are constantly thinking how they can kidnap/rob them.
Dont' these kidnappers know that the foreigners generally choose Phil to live because they DONT have much money??!! Hmm, maybe we foreigners should get together and start a public relations campaign "WE LIVE ON PENSION: NO MONEY FOR RAMSOM!"

 

I am a Filipino but I don't feel safe in my own country. I've been livin' in the US for 20 years and I don't feel that way here. If somebody committed a crime, they can't hide forever. The law enforcer here in the US, they enforces law and they mean Business. Most of the politicians and law enforcers in the Philippines are jokers. I'm sorry but that's the truth.

 

If anyone wants to see people out of control, come to any major city in the Uk on a Saturday night!! There you will see fighting, regular shootings and stabbings and all this in a country with an accountable police force and government. The thing that really annoys me here there is no reason for people to act this way, there is almost full employment and excellent welfare system should you be unable to support yourself. I cant see where there anger and frustrations comes from.

Now, I am not an expert on the Philippines but have read a lot about the place. while not justifying gangs and unsociable behavior I can see why resentment might happen in the Philippines and why young people might get frustrated and think they might have noting to loose in resulting to violence to achieve there goals.

 

My husband and I make a trip to the PI (Dumaguete ) once a year and stay three weeks each time. We feel safe walking around even at night. Nobody bothers us or anything that could initiate fear on us. People are friendly and respectful. I'm sorry if that's how you feel about our country, but that's you.

 

Wait and see 'til you experience yourselves. I live in Vegas. Gangs. underwolrd sydicate. hookers,etc. You name it, we got it all here. The point is, we visited PI because our money comes a long way. They don't know that we work like hell to go vacation. They don't work like we do. PI is a beautiful country only that the ogvernment is not stable. Wake up and smell the coffee.

 

It might be convenient for us to go on vacation to a place where our money goes along way and expect everything at a price that satisfies our desire for cheap living, but it obviously doesn’t do much for the Pilipino economy and community as a whole. I am sure many Pilipino's work hard, but it must be d*mn hard for the lowest paid to motivate themselves for a few thousand peso a month. There is not quick fix to the situation, but it doesnt supprise me if there is dissruption, violence, and theft. Like I said earlier we get that in the UK where poverty isn't an issue for anyone.

 

I did not disagree with you. I don't know what part of the Philippines you are from. I just wanted to express my positive feeling about Dumaguete that we feel safe to walk any place we want to go at anytime at our own pace. If that's how you think of our country then be it. You are free to say anything you want to say. Nobody stops you, alright? Have a great day! :D

 

so can you share your experince w/ us in Vegas? or maybe whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.:D

 

Always stays in Vegas. It never happens.

 

Maharlika,
My husband and I stayed in Dumaguete for 2 weeks for the very first time, and I can assure you, the city stands for it's popular name THE CITY OF GENTLE PEOPLE. On our stay, we've been to many places that few locals might have not been but we found it the safest place to live in.
You are entitled to your opinion and I respect you for that. But I can assure you and the rest that if you lead life in decency, you will be respected as well.