Is It Safe To Visit The Pi At This Time Due To Biff And Mlf Islamic Extremists?

[Jollygoodfellow]

Is It Safe To Visit The Pi At This Time Due To Biff And Mlf Islamic Extremists?  :1 (72):

 

The above is the topic title so these are the safety concerns of the OP rather than a bag snatcher. 

[Kuya John]

Welcome Knoxjulie,

This topic often comes up on most forums about Philippines.

As foreigners, presuming neither are of Filipino desent, it does present things to be aware of.

Amongst the beautiful smiles there will always be those who will want to rip you off!

You will be considered a money tree, whatever you try to buy, they will offer you the best at the highest price, that's business.

However if you do your homework, shop around before purchasing that can be avoided, dont be shy to haggle!

As for safety, once again take sensible precautions, If you are out and about without a guide or host especially at night be aware of your surroundings as you would back home. There are lot's of 3/4 day tours with driver /escorts to be had from most tour shops, which include transportation and accommodation. Lot's to see and enjoy here Philippines. Just remember this Asia not America.My last trip was great regards JB

My trip to Philippines May/June 2014 - an album on Flickr 

 

More info; Philippines Tour Packages - Special Holiday Packages Philippines

Edited January 11, 2015 by Kuya John

[i am bob]

I have heard a lot of people here saying that you have to watch out for this or that...  And it's true!  Same as you would at home!  But don't let that scare you!  I am an early riser (5am or earlier) and like to go out for a good long walk before breakfast...  My first month here in Cebu was great - not a problem!  I then moved to Davao and still get out for my early morning jaunt.  Still not a problem!  Incidentally, 5 am is when a lot of people are heading off to work, students are heading to the university and the police are out making sure the riff raff from the night before are off the streets or out of sight sleeping it off!  My secret?  Get to know the guys working the street where the jeepneys all pass through...  Give them a cigarette once in a while...  Bottle of water...  Always have a smile and say Good Morning or Good Day or something!  In Cebu there is one guy who now says "It's a beautiful day!"  Only english he knows but he likes to share it with us foreigners because I shared it with him every time I saw him!  After a while, they will look out for you.  The jeepney drivers will look out for you. The traffic police will get to know you (because they are always watching those areas) and will look out for you.  You have become their friend - even if it's only in passing on occasion - and they don't like people picking on their friends.  

 

In truth the biggest problem I have is people asking for money...  especially the kids.  And, of course, the young ones don't speak english other than to say "Hungry" as they rub their belly.  First rule - don't give them money but do buy the obviously hungry ones something to eat.  Even if you have no money left as you chow down on a burger or drink that ice tea, they do appreciate if you share a bit with them.  I gave one girl who could not have been more than 6 years old half a small cup of ice tea...  She then shared it with her 2 younger brothers (?) and her 1500 year old grandmother.  They then all came up, looked me in the eye, said Salamat (thank you) and the old lady had a tear on her cheek.  I went back to my hotel and got enough money to get a double order of MinuteBurgers (4ea) and 4 more ice teas.  Less than P100 - or about $2.60 Canadian (just over $2 US)...  Now this is at the river ferry in 'davao - where everybody and their dog comes through...  Word gets around...  In the last week or so, I have heard from several locals I don't know that they had heard what I did and that people are watching out for me.  

 

Ok, so I haven't quite answered your question...  I've met 2 gentlemen who mentioned that they used to be armed under the MILF banner...   They are sitting back now (as are their friends) waiting to see what happens politically...  They also admitted that there are still some who are out there stirring up cacapoopoo in an attempt to make money out of the deal.  They are the ones being called extremists.  The 2 gentlemen referred to them as basically conmen.  These people I was told to avoid at all costs. But also their numbers are getting smaller and support is disappearing quickly because they do stupid things like blowing up the local small town bus after the university kids got on.  I've also heard that some (a few, not all) have moved to the Island of Sulu (about an hour by fast boat out of the Philippines) as they know it's not safe for them here any more - from the military or the locals.  Is this true?  Got me...  Just something one of the locals here in Davao told me.

 

So, is it safe here?  Seems to be...  Can a person retire here?  I did...  Does the water in the swimming pool really turn blue when you...  Better ask Mr Goodfellow...     :rolleyes: 

 

:mocking:

[Thomas]

My husband and I (American citizens) have tickets to the PI in March of this year and now have some concerns about our trip. A Filipino friend of my husband has told him she feels it is no longer safe at this time for us to visit as we do not have any Filipino relatives or friends in that country to show us around. Our intention was to fly into Manila and then into Cebu (visit Bohol) and from there visit Taipei. 

 

I would appreciate any feedback from the members of this forum. I am looking very forward to this trip, but now have deep reservations as to whether or not we should cancel and visit another country. 

 

Please let us know if these fears are unfounded and if indeed it is safe for us to keep our plans and visit the PI. 

 

Our intention is to determine whether or not the PI is a viable option for us to retire to in the next six years. 

 

Thank you for your time. 

You didn't tell if you want to live in city or rural.

I plan to move to rural parts of Bohol myself (or Cebu island or Negros), There are SOME foreigners living rural in all these parts.

And MANY retired foreigners live for instance in Cebu city and Dumaguete city, some in guarded subdivisions, some elsewhere.

[knoxjulie]

I wish to thank each and every one of you for your replies. It truly amazes me how many people are willing to spend their time to write a reply and help a stranger. We are going to evaluate each person's reply and determine whether or not we feel this vacation is a comfortable fit for us. We have traveled to many countries within Europe and a few in Central America, but to date have not yet made it to Asia. 

 

The PI appears to be a beautiful place and some of the beaches do look like paradise, but we are cognizant of the fact that it is not paradise. 

 

Thank you for your honesty as well as your links. We greatly appreciate everyone. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Julie

[jon1]

Unless you are going to be traveling in the red areas outlined by JP, Pagadian or the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao, I would not be concerned about the BIFF, MILF or ASG.

 

In regards to a suitable retirement location, I would also look at hospitals. Manila is horribly crowded and polluted. You may want to look just south of their towards Tagaytay so that you have easier access to the Asian Hospital. Cebu is getting just as crowded but may be an option for you. Davao comes to mind also. What kind of living standard do you expect to maintain? What amenities are important to you? Have you travelled or lived in a 3rd world country before?

 

For me, I chose the Subic Freeport as it is clean, quiet and secure. The downside is that there is not a decent hospital close. The upside to that is we are expecting the new Medical City hospital to open up at Clark this year. Hopefully it will be on par with the Medical City in Ortigas.

[Dave Hounddriver]

I picked up on this safety thread to remind people that taking a boat in the Philippines is always very risky.  The seas can get very rough and the boats are built cheap.  The following message showed up on my Facebook and I do not know who the missing American is but remember that you are taking a risk whenever a filipino invites you out on his fishing boat.

 

" A banca with 6 persons on board (with 1 american) departed from Dumaguete on 13 February, at 8am allegedly for the purpose of leisure fishing in the southern part of negros oriental.

 

Said banca has not yet returned and the persons on board could no longer be contacted thru their cell phones."

[Methersgate]

My list of places for a caucasian couple to retire to would only include Manila if the couple are significantly wealthy. Life in Forbes Park can indeed be very pleasant! It would not include Cebu at all.

If you have a moderate disposable income then my first choice would be the same as Jon 1 - Subic Bay Freeport Zone or, better if your finances will stretch, Anvaya Cove, just a few miles South, which is really lovely.

My finances won't, so I am looking at rural Negros.

I agree with everyone else - don't give a second thought to the MILF the BIFF and the Abu Sayyaf unless you are insane enough to want to live in the red bits on JP's map. 

Edited February 16, 2015 by Methersgate

[Methersgate]

 

I picked up on this safety thread to remind people that taking a boat in the Philippines is always very risky.  The seas can get very rough and the boats are built cheap.  The following message showed up on my Facebook and I do not know who the missing American is but remember that you are taking a risk whenever a filipino invites you out on his fishing boat.

 

" A banca with 6 persons on board (with 1 american) departed from Dumaguete on 13 February, at 8am allegedly for the purpose of leisure fishing in the southern part of negros oriental.

 

Said banca has not yet returned and the persons on board could no longer be contacted thru their cell phones."

 

Good point. This reminds us of something else - a cellphone is no way to contact anyone at sea, due to the total absence of cellphone masts, but since there is no effective monitoring of radio channels, a cellphone, useless as it is, is all that you have. Welcome to the Third World.

[davewe]

As others have said, you will be safe from any extremists at the places you are going (and almost all places in PI). Frankly, it isn't just Westerners who worry. My wife is Filipina and has no interest in Mindanao either, even though most of that island is quite safe. She hears people talk and gets scared. Her fear have nothing to do with personal experience - just what others say.

 

The media in America frightens us about almost all places in the world. I took my kids on spring break to Cancun a couple years ago. My ex wife and her Fox news watching husband panicked. "It's Mexico. They kidnap Americans all the time," she cried. I responded, "We aren't going to a drug border town. We're going to one of the largest vacation destinations in the Western hemisphere." Fortunately, we avoided the kidnappers :)

 

So fear is rampant and while you are prudent to be cautious, I am sure you will be fine and have a blast!

 

Have a great time in the Philippines. I think you will particularly love Bohol.