SPYING IN MANILA
I have to share this with you guys, it happened about four years ago on my very first visit to Manila on my second day too.
As a British tourist I was walking around in the sweltering heat with my video camera and headed to Manila bay area where all the locals posed for my video camera and all the kids smiled and it was a great pleasant time. After about thirty minutes I headed back to the hotel, mainly to get out of the sun and was aware that I was passing the USA embassy, where many tourists were taking pictures of the guards and an armed combat vehicles outside with soldiers.
I decided that may be a little risky to join those people taking pictures so I just pointed my video camera away and took a last look at Manila bay.
Then I heard shouting and screaming I turned around to see two soldiers’ rifles out running in my direction, I looked ahead but could not see what they were running to, but I know it’s serious as everyone stopped and looked very concerned.
As they got to me they stopped, I still could not see what was going on until they both got hold of ME and marched and pulled me pass a crowd of people into the front entrance of the embassy.
I had no idea what had happened and I was being filmed and taken pictures of, what had I done? At this point no one was talking English.
After a few minutes a uniformed official put me in a cell like room and sat me at a table and thumped a form in front of me. He proceeded to ask me all my details, but still not telling me why I was there and for how long. I answered everything and just waited to get the point, and then it happened.
I was told I was going to be charged with filming in a restricted area, I was gob smacked, outside many people were doing same but I am inside to be charged. I explained I had no idea of the rules and apologised the official who then asked to watch back the video.
I rewound the video five minutes and after watching a 5 sec clip of embassy grass he told me to tape over it now. I pointed the camera at the window and filmed for 2 min’s, then rewound it and played it back to him.
Now the grass was replaced by two minutes of military people coming and going through the entrance of the embassy and several officials and all the faces of the people who were working in the front office, this was ok Apparently the grass was secret but the inside was not!
I was then told I would get a “visit” at the hotel, at which point my British humour cut in and I just laughed until the official barked at me. I explained about the grass and what we had just filmed he just laughed with me offered me a cigarette and ripped up the paperwork.
He shook my hand and I left with tourist’s filming me, I went back to the hotel very very thankful he did not go back further then five minutes on my video camera, that’s a blog for another day!!
Hi John - Wow! This is something. I never knew that this happened to you! Do you think that the actions of the PNP were supported by the US Officials at the Embassy? If I were in your position, I would have asked to see a representative of the US Ambassador and discuss it with them. It’s funny that a lot of others were taking photos and such with no problems, but you were taken into custody. Were any of the others foreigners?
I had a somewhat serious incident happen to me, although not as serious. One time near Digos I stopped and took a photo of a police station, and an Army officer came and berated me for taking the photo. I apologized, and was able to go on.
This is a rule I found out about from a friend. Never take a picture of anyplace or anyone military, official or police. Because we are the visitors here in the Philippines we are more likely to be held because of it.
Hi Louis - I think that is true. I have been somewhat lucky on this though (aside from the one incident I mentioned) because I have been on a number of military events and gotten some real nice photos of those. One thing working in my favor is that I am a holder of press credentials (issued by MindaNews), and I can pull out my press credentials in such circumstances and generally just get a nod and no problems.
When I was here in 2000, I had military people posing to get a picture with *me*! That was up in Sagada, and we didn’t think at the time to have them take an extra with my camera, so I asked a member of a different convoy on our way back to Banaue.
My then-SO asked if he had a gun to pose with, and the guy took it out of his jeep, and HANDED IT TO ME!
Somewhere at home there is a pic of me, holding a gun with a grenade launcher (making it obvious that I didn’t know what the hell it was) standing next to a very happy solider!
When I get back to the US, I’ll scan it in.
Hi Elisa - Now, I want to see that picture!
Hello, John that might be the time when US was in red allert because of terrorism. There is a time that even here in US, anyone can’t take a picture in a military building or white house etc. I think even now there are still restricted areas because of bombings.
I morn the death of common sense !
Hi, thats a cool story!
phil
Looking at some of your posts, I think you enjoy looking for trouble…
John
I came across your blog while searching for information about philippine’s banking laws. I too am married to a filipina and we have a home in Manuella.
Right now we are living in San Francisco, but will be spending part of the year in Manuella when I retire in about five years.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your most recent entries and look forward to more. I’ll keep your link in case i have any question about living in the philippines.
Regards,
Jeff
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