Is Davao in trouble?
For those that know me will know that I am very much in love with the country and the people of the Philippines, and in particular my love for Davao City here in Mindanao. I have only been here for around four years and I have never ever had to feel scared I have had only one or two small incidents of theft, which in all honesty would happen in my home country UK.
I have walked around Davao City late in the night on my own and have had NO problems at all, but now I can feel my perception beginning to change, and its with regret I say that.
I do not know why but it seems that there are more murders of “bad”people and more of them seem to be people under 18, and even at this moment there is a case going through relating to a prominent family here who’s son shot two people dead over a minor argument at a bar.
I only have to look over my garden wall to see my great friend Klaus now in-tombed by a huge metal fence over some land issue that has appeared from nowhere. Now I do not know the full details of the situation that Klaus is going through but I know him as a gentle man , a man who has always looked after his extended family and he and Rose have helped the ex pat population for years and many times they help at NO CHARGE.
Klaus is a member of Rotary he has many friends in “high” places and he and his family have major influence in the village and are well liked, so it is incredible that a family like his is having to suffer this shame here in Davao City.
Klaus is not a millionaire, as far as I know he has no enemies and this use of force with guns that seems to have no real legal or morale foundation cannot be tolerated by sensible thinking people. The man’s family are in distress two elderly members are very sick and cannot get out of their own front door!! Wherever you are in the world does this sound right ,or is it a sign that Davao is lurching back to the gun slinger days again. God I hope not.
Not so much for my sake but for the great people of Davao City who through the mayors bravery and determination have left the hell of fifteen years ago and have found the City growing fast and quick with businesses arriving and the City progressing fast in housing and employment.
The recent deaths and and high profile murders may be things that happen to keep Davao safe, I honestly do not know,but if the City is to continue its fantastic growth the legal system needs to work properly and efficiently for all and not to be loaded against the ex pats and those are the same people who choose to live here who contribute to more taxes and employment and who LOVE THE CITY.
People who come to Davao or even the Philippines need to know they are protected by the system and that families are safe, this country loves the family and the people of the Philippines are the kindest people I have ever met, so what has happened or have I had my eyes closed?
Hi John,
I have to admit that Klaus’ legal difficulties have to be the most shocking thing I’ve read about in a long time. I certainly sympathize with him and his family. But you bring up a good point in that if this kind of thing (as well as other things you mention ) can happen, what indeed does it say about the real state of affairs in Davao City?
I wonder if there are people in Davao who are above the law and will use any means to get what they want. Klaus’ situation certainly has a very fishy smell about it. The actions or lack thereof by the authorities in the next few days will tell the real story.
Randall
Like most people I do my best to mix and join in and same as Klaus who is so in love with this City and country, that’s why I feel so bad, because when it hits home with people you know and is just not “chat” you begin to see things that are worrying and although I feel raw at the moment I will hope that the situation gets sorted.BUT how did it get to this point?
Hi John: I’m sure the problems in Davao will be resolved soon. There may be unusual and unpleasant incidents here and there, no city is perfect and Stepfordian after all, but - as I read from an article published recently in a local newspaper - the city remains number 1 in the Philippines (in terms of business, industry, and “liveability”), seconded by my city of residence: Quezon City (in beautiful Manila). So things might not be as bad there as in other cities and provinces.
That said, let’s hope that Klaus’ very unusual case is settled soon, and that things go well for him.
Keep safe always!
hello john
i have to say that problems exist everywhere we go in the world.i know the goverment in davao will fix klaus problems soon.i know the system is so slow in philippines.its not like usa or uk.we all know this and thats what is unique about different places.sometimes good and sometimes bad.i have to be honest i would go get the police and run the fence down with my own truck.
salamat john
Hi John - I personally do not feel that Davao has any major problems, nothing to be down about. Yes, the case that Klaus is going through is not good, and as Klaus’ neighbor, you are close to the situation. However, bad things happen everywhere in the world. I am confident that the situation with Klaus will be resolved, and that it will not take too long for it to be resolved. Also, neither you nor I know the whole story of what is happening with Klaus (at least I know that I don’t) so it’s hard to make a judgment on that right now.
Keep your head up, John!
hi john - i don’t think things have changed that drastically in davao. when i heard about klaus’ story, i was quite dismayed by it, but i did not equate it for thing going for the worse in davao.
i see it as another unfortunate philippine story because of the system (or lack of) in place there. it’s infuriating & disheartening, but these two emotions are very much familiar to many filipinos.
that’s why you hear many angry comments from some disgruntled pinoys (even here in this site).
i have heard my fair share of sad stories in davao including people i personally know. however, i am still quite positive that this thing will be resolved. in fact, it’s great to see that there are people there & around the world who’s got klaus’ back.
Good points everyone and as mentioned in the article it hits home when the person you know very well and live next door to you has a bad time.
Migs you are so correct hat Davao is still growing and much more safe than many places in the Philippines, and yes I love iy here.
My only point is that this weeks perception has rocked me a little, let me have a few beers and ill be ok!!
Some of what you describe here John reminds me of things that happen in my own ‘ suburban ” neighborhood about 60 miles north of New York City. About every 10 years or so it seems another generation of neighborhood ” Kids ” grow up to be teenagers and on occasion some rowdy and not so nice ones. It is not just teenagers either. People come and go, new families move in from other areas and some bring troubles with them. One way to guage what you feel is going on in Davao would be to make proportional comparisons of other areas of the Philippines or any where else in the world for that matter.
I am looking forward to visiting Davao for a couple of days on my next visit to Mindanao to meet Bob Martin and hopefully you as well.
I wish the best for the situation Klaus is in with that fence.
Hi John,Yes i agree with other comments, you can have problems anywhere in the world.But from my limited experience of Phils,land disputes are common place,most brought about by the system itself and hereditary titles.With regard to violence, Davao is probably safer than London right now,nearly everyday someone is stabbed to death in London,so many problems with teenage gangs carrying knives,and a ridiculous PC govt,regards Chas(UK)
Hi to my great friend John and all the others. I am commenting here late because even sitting hours by hours in front of my computer, i wasn’t even able to reply all emails i received during the last two weeks. Thanks for you article JOHN. What you was telling about me is totally correct. Check out my next post “Life goes on…”. After GMA TV screened a special report about us, I might be able to tell more details and how things move on… - Regarding your topic John: I will never stop embracing the Philippines, especially Davao City and its people…