Dumaguete Info Search


Kidnapping

Discussion in 'Tourist Information' started by Ricardo, Mar 8, 2017.

  1. Ricardo

    Ricardo DI Junior Member

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    A female friend from the UK was going to visit Dumaguete but pulled out at the last minute after a conversation with anothe female friend who said " its a bit risky in the Philippines isnt it" which prompted an online search.

    Philippines travel advice - GOV.UK

    This stated:
    There has been an increase in kidnapping of foreign nationals, including attacks targeting foreigners and tourists since late 2015. Multiple attacks occurred in November 2016. Terrorist groups continue to plan kidnap operations against western nationals in the Philippines. This threat extends throughout the Philippines, both on land and at sea, but is particularly acute in the southern Philippines (Mindanao, southern Palawan and central Visayas, including Siquijor and Dumaguete).

    I have been visiting and staying in the area for the last 12 years and whilst I am aware that some incidents dont get reported in the press I really dont believe kidnapping to be a problem...........so why do the authorities publish such stuff are they just covering their arses?
     
  2. AlwaysRt

    AlwaysRt DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Blood Donor Veteran Air Force Marines

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    Covering their arses or talking out of their arses???
     
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  3. DavyL200

    DavyL200 DI Forum Luminary ★ Global Mod ★ ★ Moderator ★ Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    We had this conversation in the brit embassy last week and so they say it is a credible threat.
    Seems like its not just the asg but others aswell have joined the bandwagon for money.
    So the asg just pay locals to kidnap for themand they get paid well.
     
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  4. Dave & Imp

    Dave & Imp DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    Remember that the countries that do not pay ransom have a lower number of their citizens kidnapped. It may feel safer know that no ransom will be paid for you, and you will not have to wait for long periods of time for negotiating to forecast your future. Just a different outlook at the whole ransom issue. Germany seem to like paying large amounts, and consequently have a significant number of kidnapped citizens.
     
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  5. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    I know an expat and his wife that were held by gunpoint/knife-point at their house in Bacong. The expat was escorted to an ATM at the mall and told to empty his account (while his gf was held at knife-point at home). He was told if he tried to signal for help or they didn't remain in constant contact that his wife, and later he, would be killed. Both lived through the ordeal after handing over 30-40k PHP, if I remember correctly. Just because you don't hear about it happening in Negros doesn't mean it doesn't happen (and happen with quite alarming frequency). How many expats have been murdered in home invasions just in the greater Dumaguete area? Many of these deaths go unsolved and we have no real idea of what actually happened in the house. Home invasion? Ransom? Parricide? Absolutely no way of knowing with the investigative abilities of the PNP (sh*t, the PNP could be involved themselves in such activities, they have killed an expat in a ransom scheme right outside of the PNP Chief's office in Manila).

    How many old men suddenly die with their deaths being considered natural by a government that gives absolutely 0 shits about expats (and expat murders are really bad for tourism) but in reality could have been caused by foul play? I suspect the vast majority of old guys dying is just that, old men dying from old age.....but I suspect a very, and I mean very, small percentage of them could involve foul play. (Note: My story above did involve an elderly man. If he died, his money disappeared and his much younger wife went missing what exactly do you think the first thought most people would have? What do you think the police would think? How long do you think they would investigate? What tools do they even have to do a proper investigation if they were even motivated to do so?)

    There have also been confirmed reports of criminal/Muztard extremists operating in Southern Cebu. Many of the local mayors claimed it was all bullshit at first but later had to eat crow once the warnings (from several different Western embassies) were verified to be real and present.

    There have also been legitimate bomb threats in Dumaguete (with locals caught/arrested in hotels with bomb material). We, as expats, are both political and economical targets....and some nut-job is always looking to hit the bulls-eye and show he/they are serious about their demands to the national government.

    Be very careful with dismissing embassy warnings as false just because you personally believe the threat couldn't happen or be true. It could come back to bite you in the @ss. Ask the German that recently thought he would be perfectly safe sailing down to the Sulu sea to get a haircut and then got a little too much taken off the top. His case is an extreme one, but these threats aren't Tinkerbell, their existence has absolutely nothing to do with you believing in them.
     
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  6. AlwaysRt

    AlwaysRt DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Blood Donor Veteran Air Force Marines

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    Yup, been dealing with a lot of pain lately, lucky to get 2 hours sleep, VA appointment is next week so have to grin and bare it until then. I saw an opportunity to be funny and did not consider this was not a funny thread. Would not hurt my feelings if you went ahead and deleted the post to prevent people from thinking I was minimizing the warnings instead of merely taking an opportunity to make a play on words.
     
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  7. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    I didn't quote the right person. I got the humor in your post. I need to get some sleep myself.
     
  8. DavyL200

    DavyL200 DI Forum Luminary ★ Global Mod ★ ★ Moderator ★ Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    As i remember it the two guys who held up the old guy were eliminated a few weeks later not far from here back in 2011 :smile:
     
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  9. minibrings

    minibrings DI New Member

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    Ah Jeez.. makes me want to reconsider Dumaguete! At least the latest Travel warning excludes Visayas:
    The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago and through the southern Sulu Sea, and to exercise extreme caution when traveling to the island of Mindanao, due to continued terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings. This replaces the Travel Warning dated April 21, 2016.
     
  10. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Psst, don't tell anyone but I post a bit of hyperbole from time to time just to keep things active on the forum. As long as you aren't an idiot and stay out of other's business/drama you will likely have absolutely zero problems in Dumaguete. :wink:
     
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