I can not really talk about what is going on in that area. But I have visited Western Samar since 1981 and have been on an island where my wife is from and had a NPA patrol with feet of me and my daughters. They did not bother me at all. They looked at me and smiled. I know that this was not the only time I have been around them.

It is sad that your plans might be ruined becasue of some story that might not be so true. I have always been told that if you are with family members, you will not have any problems with any local groups.

 

For Dauinpass: check your PMs please.

 

If you are in Canada now, you can Pm or e mail your phone number in Canada,to expatron2003@yahoo.com and I can call you for free.

I'm American living just north of Dumaguete. I hope I can put your or your Bro in law's fears to rest.
Ron

 

I know an expat American doing duel sport motorcycle tours and he's run across NPA members patrolling who wave at the tour guys on the bikes.
He said it was the highlight of that days ride.
Customers loved it!

 

there might be some true issues that your brother in law scared about but, NPA's would never target a good brother in law. They're up to corrupt politicians, bad samaritan and they want a share of tax...
An for the tourist individuals, Dumaguete/ Negros Island is the safest place to travel...
I'm a Filipina who doesn't like much about filipino but love philippines married to a foriegner.

 

!!!!!!! Sorry!

Sorry! I am already married and so is my Wife!

Jack P.

 

I assure you that Dumaguete is the safest place in Philippines to have holiday. They are just exagerrating things. No to Mindanao this time cannot promise your safety. So, welcome to Dumaguete ...you can find the SMILES there...

 

The NPA are Not Interested in Foreigners, unless you deliberately get in the way of their ideology.

Their Goal is to turn the Philippines back into a Workers (read Communist) Paradise, where everyone works barefoot in the Padi Fields.

Their targets are business who employ lots of Filipinos, they send the business broke, disillusion the workers who are easy pickins to join the party and promote the cause.

If you are a foreigner who owns a business your business may be a target, but not you personally.

I was the GM for a large business located in Mexico, Pampanga, right near Mt Arayat which was the original hideout for the Huks in WWII, who eventually became the NPA. Our business got closed, I had nails in my tires but it was not personal, I was actually told about it so I would not get hurt driving the car, I am actually good friends with the ringleaders still to this day.

I get a Monthly briefing on the NPA activities in my role as a director on the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, nothing has changed, they are simply not interested in foreigners unless you start meddling in their business.

The NPA are all over the Philippines, they will be here for a long time. Pampanga and Samar have the worst Reputations, but I have never heard of any foreigner being hurt by them (may be wrong on this one, but never heard of it). Lots of mates ride through those areas on bikes, etc, never an issue.

I guess the easiest way to look at it is if you went to New York, wandered about some of the less touristy areas taking photos of people on the streets and asking questions, I guess you could expect trouble, only difference here is that they would love to pose for the photos and then ask you to leave them alone.