In my view it is interesting to read posts that tell of crimes against foreigners in Dumaguete. It alerts others to areas where extra care is needed and might help foreigners think more about personal security and what to wear and carry when wandering the streets.

But readers of this site who have never been to Dumaguete should not be worried about going there. These robberies are often just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

RHB mentions the situation in the 80's where a gang of hoods from rich families terrorised locals and foreigners. I witnessed that gang in action but I have always thought of Dumaguete as a relatively safe place if you take common sense precautions.

I'm not sure that comparisons to US cities are valid as no country wants their crime rates. In East LA and Memphis I felt very unsafe and there are many other US cities where i would not live if you gave me a million bucks. You may as well compare Dumaguete to Harare or Johannesburg. If valid comparisons are to be made why not look at similar sized towns in Thailand or Vietnam where thay have the same feel and I expect the crime rates would be quite similar to Dumaguete.

 

Then why such opposition to the news?




Larry.

 

Shadow ... I`m with you !

DI`ers , Hello . I have a Yahoo Phils group , Pearl of the Orient 7000 , and I posted the very same copy and paste message from the Visayan online newspaper . I posted it not to scare people off of Dumaguete , but rather to inform all of a place where a crime occurred . Obviously the 2 foreigners where in the wrong place at the wrong time . I hope their misfortune will lead others to avoid that area at that time . Crime happens every where . Lets keep Dumaguete " the place of the Gentle People " and not get upset over a post . Agree to disagree , live and learn , and live life to the fullest .

 

Well. The only thing which is stolen from us in the PHils during this years is the karaoke mike. If it hadn't been for that reason that this will get from my wife first priority to be replaced, I would have thought there must be a GOD and he have heard my prayers.:D

 

no crime where you live?

whos got their head in the sand?
about 10 years ago a 12 year old girl who went to the school I taught at in Yokosuka, Japan moved to San Diego. The girl had grown up in the philippines (Olongapo) and Yokosuka and this was her first time living in the USA. 2 weeks after she arrived there she was walking her dog in an upscale suburban neighborhood and by eyewitness accounts, a van pulled up near her, a young hispanic man asked directions and the van drove away with her - the dog was found the next day - they found her dead body 8 months later - the victim of a gang rape/abduction - she was the daughter of a family friend and the little sister of a student of mine

I'll take my chances in the philippines, thank you

 

her name is christina williams do a search... its a sad story
a sweet responsible girl full of life and happiness
she grew up in the relative safety of the philippines and japan and didnt know not to let strangers come up to her
( btw it was a ford granada, not a van...dont know why my mind remembered that wrong but its been 10 years)

the suspects are at large ...10 years later - i would think they would have been found in a ditch a week later if this happened in Dumaguete