Corruption, corruption! Corruption is terrible in the Philippines, didn’t you know that? I mean, you can hardly go an hour in your life without facing some terrible kind of corruption.
Or at least, that is what people say.
In my life, I simply have not experienced such terrible things, though. Maybe I am different than most, but then again, most of the other foreigners that I know who live here never seem to tell me about having to fight terrible incidents of corruption either. Oh sure, from time to time I hear from people about how they had to pay off P200 to some official to get something done, but I don’t even hear that kind of thing very often, to be honest.
The other day, somebody left a flurry of comments on my MindanaoBob YouTube Channel. He is thinking of coming to visit the Philippines, and it is obvious that he has a lot of apprehensions about coming here, given the various comments that he has left there after watching my videos. One of the comments that he left on my YouTube Channel was this:
Hello Bob,
I keep seeing reports about how a lot of PI police officers are corrupt and they sometimes find a reason to arrest you just to get your money (blackmail).
When I go to PI , how can I steer clear of this problem , or has it just been over-hyped? Would it be better to travel with a “Posse” of locals ??? Thanks.
So, what do I think? I think that this sort of thing happens, but not all that often. I frankly feel that this vastly over hyped. You get a few people telling stories such as this where they were falsely arrested, blackmailed and such, and the story spreads, every time it is told again the facts change a bit, and pretty soon it is wildly different from what really happened.
Like I said, sure, stuff like this happens from time to time. Police acting badly happens in the USA and every other country of the world too. I mean, how many times have we seen videos of Police Officers beating people with clubs, people who seemed to be doing nothing. Sometimes what we saw in the video really was justified. Sometimes the police just got carried away and beat the fellow unjustly. But, the fact remains… bad things can happen.
So, how can you avoid such problems? Should you “travel around with a posse of locals” as my friend suggests in his question? Well, no, I don’t think you need a posse to protect you. Fact is, if you think you need a posse of locals to go out to the convenience store, then you probably should just stay home where you feel more comfortable. The best thing you can do if you are in the Philippines is to act in a civilized way. Treat people nicely. Don’t go looking for trouble, and if you see trouble, steer clear of it. When you do things like this, you won’t have interactions with the Police, and won’t really have anything to worry about in the area of getting blackmailed by the Police and such. I think that this is simple common sense, and if you use common sense in your travels, wherever you are traveling in the world, you will stay out of trouble, and you will also have a more enjoyable trip!
So, to my friend who was asking me this question… Please, come and visit the Philippines if you have an interest in doing so. Come and enjoy the local culture, the foods, the festivities here and such. Don’t go looking for trouble. Don’t get drunk and harass people and such. Just have a good time in a way that is respectful of the people around you. I am sure that you can have an enjoyable time in the Philippines, remain safe, and go home with only stories of how good your trip was!
I have lived in the Philippines for more than 10 years, and I came here many times over the 10 years previous to my living here. In all of that 20 years, I have never had a problem with the Police here. In fact, whenever I have needed any kind of assistance, the Police in the Philippines have always gone out of their way to serve me as best they could. Probably, they have done more for me than I was even entitled to ask for. I think that 99% of the time your experience will be the same as mine, too.
Good points you made there, Bob. In my experience I know of a couple cases of possible police “shakedowns” of foreigners that may be credible … or not. Point is, they all involved foreigners who “put themselves in harms way” on their own by hanging out in rather obvious foreigner-style girly bars and/or, inviting “ladies” they did not know, and who may well have been underage, back to their hotel rooms.
I have never heard, even a rumor, of a foreigner being “jammed up” by Philippine police when the foreigner was acting in a manner that would have been acceptable in his own country.
If anyone comes here and chooses to behave in a manner that breaks the law (and Philippine drug laws, for example, are very, very strict), it’s highly possible he may get himself in a world of trouble.
People who don’t break the law, don’t brag about breaking the law, don’t give the appearance of breaking the law, etc., never seem to have any problem … in my experience at least.
(Oh, and not getting drunk, loud, arrogant, abusive and demeaning to Filipinos helps quite a bit, too. Sounds obvious but it’s surprising how many foreigners don’t get the picture).
One concern about “traveling with a posse of locals” is, you don’t know what the other guys on your “team” may ask for, or how they think you want to behave. In the spirit of trying to make sure you have agood time, they may go farther than you would on your own.
And if one guy in the group asks for something, the whole group becomes suspect, and if a foreigner is there he’s going to be immediately assumed to be the instigator … perhaps without even knowing it. Remember, Filipinos are great consumers of American movies and may tend to think you are just like one of those action heroes they see on the “silver screen” … and face it, how many Hollywood movies over the years portray individuals that most of us don’t chose to use a role models.
There’s a famous saying, even an aura around Las Vegas that says. “What happens here, stays here”. In the Philippines, it’s exactly the opposite … _everything_ … a foreigner does is observed, and then, often, blown up larger than life in the repetitive telling of the tale.
Myself, I try to make my story very boring and mundane … it’s worked well so far 😉
Good morning, Dave. Absolutely… good points you made there too. Like you, my story is boring (most of the time), and about the only reaction I get out of police officers here is that they smile at me and say “hi” to me. Yeah, I have heard of plenty of foreigners getting into problems, but in every case, I felt that the foreigners probably deserved what they got. So far, I have never heard of anybody getting the shakedown when they were being good and minding their own business.
dear bob,
your site is quite impressive. i’ve read many negative comments about my brothers in uniform. i can’t blame those who commented coz of their “bad experience/s” with some PNP personnel..
we were sworned to duty to protect and serve. while others are doing their job with utmost commitment and integrity. there were some who tainted our organization. much to my dismay, their acts were being posted in your site.
my big thanks to the professional criticism/s, it inspire me a lot to be more vigilant, strive more, and work in accordance to ethical standards. my snappy salute to you bob.. God bless and best regards!
Thank you for stopping by, Maria, and interacting with our community here. I, for one, have always had excellent experiences when I have been in contact with your brothers and sisters at the PNP. Of course, I hear from others who have experienced different things than I have, and I hope that is not too big of an issue. But, i do thank you and other officers in the PNP for the service to the country, and for the pleasant experiences I have experienced with your agency.
Dear Bob,
Its been quite sometime I haven”t visited this site. Thanks a lot for your comments regarding the organization I belong. Should you wish to share your articles/write-ups regarding core values for police officers, let me know so I can incorporate in my forthcoming book entitled “A Closer Look To The Philippine National Police”. it’s on the final draft now, however there are lots of things I should consider right now …
Maria: I have written very complimentary things about the PNP on this site… I have never been treated with anything but respect and courtesy by them… And I give them the same respect. Yes, as in any other police force, there are occasional bad seeds, but the vast majority of police do the job because they want to help people, at least in my experience.
Hi John Miele wish to browse what you made mentioned about complimentary articles about the PNP. Yes you are right, there were some bad seeds in the organization, i agree to that.
Hi Bob: So far I have not experienced any of this corruption in any form in the P.I. However having lived in Mexico for seven years I can attest to corruption there at it’s rankest, where the greenback dollar will get you anything you want, or out of situations undesirable. Here in the Caraga region I have only good things to say about the Police, Military, and other public servants.
Hi Roberto – Same for me, I have nothing bad to say about the Police or Military here. In fact, I have a lot of good things to say about them, because they have always given me a fair shake and been kind to me!
i don t believe what im reading here.just the other my friend is getting shaken down for 500,ooo peso,or they will close here casino down,the mayor saids he has pictures of a male under 19 entering the casino,which is a set-up.they check ID at the door.and me being a white foreigner i am a target for the police.i always travel with private drivers or taxi.when they see white passengers they pull you over,and tell the driver you were driving like a snake.and they want to take your lic. plate.they say you can pick it up in 3 days at the busy court house while you pay your fine.and you have no choose but to pay them.i seen this about twice every week.all over manila,angeles city,and the worst subic bay.the philippines is the 2nd most corrupt country in the world.they burn there own bridges and quite a few big companys move out of the philippine because of the corruption
I am sorry, john, but what you say is simply not believable. I know plenty of people who live in Manila, AC and Subic, and none of them experience this. For sure, I’ve never experienced this in Davao.
Hi Bob;
I must agree with both your’s and Dave’s point. As Ive said before the Police in this country have never treated me unfairly, even when I was stopped for traffic infractions that I was totaly guilty of. Sometimes a warning, and sometimes a ticket. Just like back in the old USA. I realy thought that stop sign was broken.
Same thing here, Paul. In fact, not only have I never been treated unfairly, but I would say in some cases where I deserved to be in trouble (traffic infractions and such), the Police went out of their way to give me a pass, and just warn me to be more careful in the future. I could not ask for more.
About a month ago I was stoped for making a U-Turn, I did not see the sign, I really did not see the sign. As many of you from the US know the signs here can be hard to see, unlike in the US. Well the PNP told me that they were going to take my liceance and I would have to wait a month to get it or I could pay them 2000 PhP. I do not thank that if they gave me a ticket it would cost that much. But besides that I have had no problems.
Hi Bill – I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. Of course, I understand that even though I have had no such experiences, that does not mean that they don’t exist. I do think that such experiences are rare, though. Well, I hate for you to lose P2k, but I suppose it could have been worse. Hopefully it won’t happen again!
my dear friend Billy B, and to others who had bad experienced with the Philippine National Police: I am sorry for my co-law enforcer/s for what they did. Yes, I agree there were some bad fruits within our organization. but please be reminded that there are also good fruits… i’ve been doing some research on corruption and the like and i have learned that there is no such country who is not involved in corruption. In fact i am making a book entitled “A Closer Look To The Philippine National Police” which includes among others the corrupt activities done by my brothers in uniform, the core values, and the system reform in organizational context. Should you wish to inject/ incorporate your ideas in my book, you are free to share. my e mail address: [email protected]. May God bless you all…
Hi Bob- I must confess I have not so far touch wood, experianced police corruption.
The other day Marilou and I were travelling into CdeO and we were stopped on the National Highway at a Traffic Police checkpoint. The purpose of the checkpoint was to find out if vehicles had sirens fitted to their cars as well as flashing lights so they could use them as emergancy vehicles to avoid traffic congestion. I was asked by the Police Officer for my Drivers Licence and LTO registration and asked if I would open the hood so that they could check for a siren. Whilst this was happening an camera man was taking a video of the excercise and when I asked why he was doing so I was informed by the Policeman that they had to show their superiors that they did not just stop taxi drivers etc but a cross section of the general public. After checking my documents and being satisfied I had no siren I was thanked for my cooperation smartly saluted by the Police Officer and bade farewell.
That was my first experiance of being stopped by the Police and I hope any future stoppages are of a similar nature.
Regards.
Jim.
Ha ha… sounds like they are series about the “walang wang wang” policy in CdO! That’s good. So far, they have not really cracked down in Davao, although I have no wang wang anyway. 😆 I’m glad your experience went smoothly, Jim!
I havent seen a cop anywhere but directing traffic in the Philippines lol so Im not to worried about it. Its not like every corner you turn you see a cop, unless your driving. we got pulled over for driving on the wrong color in Manila. My brother in law gave the cop a few hundred peso and we where off. Its not like we didnt do anything and got pulled down.
Wow, Jack, you haven’t seen any PNP? They are everywhere, it seems to me! Amazing! Down here, the people who monitor traffic aren’t really cops, they are TMC, and they don’t really have police powers, only can take care of traffic problems.
hi all
this is not just happening to foreigners it aso happens to filipinas too as lawi know one night my brother inlaw was out in manila city and was pulled up by the cops and was ask to pay over p6000 and u bet he had a good days pay lol that day all the best…..
from peter martin tassie…..
Hi Peterjoy – Interesting, I really have never been asked for money by any cop here in the Philippines.
Funny, The other day (I ride the Bus most every where), I was thinking…Wow! I never see Police cars here in the city Metro Manila, giving tickets or such, and man, what a fortune they would make here for reckless driving hahahaha. Most police or security guards here will say “good morning, afternoon or evening sir” to you, and almost all go out of there way in to be courteous to you. I find them very admirable from what I have seen.
I agree, lenny, the police that I have encountered in the Philippines are always very courteous!
I have never seen them pull over traffic violators either…that is what they need to do. I wish Pnoy would have mentioned that in his speech instead of wangwang
Hi Miguk – I agree that the wang wang is a non-issue. Who cares? There are a lot of problems to deal with before worrying about the wang wang. I have seen traffic police pull over people, though… in fact, I’ve been pulled over three times in my years of living here. Twice, I got a warning. Once I got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt! Sus! I was pissed when I got that ticket! 😉
A ticket! Shocking 🙂 Actually the wangwang issue is germane here in Manila because if is literally a matter of life and death. I actually saw people stop for an ambulance the other day — the first time ever
Hi Miguk – I am not talking about the Ambulance or such official vehicles with wang wang, but private people. Down here, people pull over for ambulances, fire trucks and such all the time.
They never do here — or didn’t before. Just really bad behavior
I was jogging this morning a little later than usual, good thing it was overcast so no sun yet. Normally I’m out there before any cops or traffic. I came up on an intersection, the traffic cop saw me huffin and puffin as I approached and he stopped opposing traffic so I could keep going. He smiled and said good morning when I passed. Truth be told, I could have used a small rest, but that was a nice gesture.
Hi Gary – Ha ha… if he only knew that you could use a rest, he might have stopped your side of the traffic for a long time, to let you catch your breath! 😆
I agree, that police corruption in the Philippines for foreigners is probably over-hyped. When I was driving 4.000 kms around the whole country for 3 months in my Tricycle last year, I wasn’t stopped a single time by a policeman. They sometimes saw me, but instead waved towards me and were in general a friendly bunch.
Imagine that behavior in Indonesia. Completely different! If they see a foreigner, they see you basically as a walking (or driving) ATM. It’s much harder to avoid getting in touch with corruption or even paying bribes. Although there are still ways around it, especially when stopped by a Traffic Cop.
Anyway, all readers here, enjoy your weekend! We deserve it, right? 😉
Hi Chris – Nice to hear from you, and thanks for sharing your experiences, especially the comparison between expectations in the Philippines and Indonesia. Very interesting.
I hope you have a great weekend! I intend to!
Manila City (as opposed to Metro Manila) seems to have institutionalised highway patrol extortion. I’ve been the victim twice when driving, and I avoid the area now. But it’s not aimed at foreigners I don’t think; anyone with money will do.
Hi Ken – Interesting… I keep hearing about Manila, makes me even happier that I don’t live there! 😀
dear ken, your experiences with the law enforcers particularly highway patrol extortion is a disgrace to my organization. My apology to what they[ve done.
Hi Bob,
I think that most of the people who have problems and have to pay their way out of problems is quite simply that what ever they are doing is in some way illegal, their vehicle is not licenced correctly, their papers are not correct etc. I have never had a problem with the police or any other government office unless I had to get something done quick and I did not have all the correct requirements. Sometimes a little bit of corruption is helpful!
Ha ha… it’s true, Chris that a little money can cure any problem!
To be honest I have looked into things a lot more than I should and there is always interesting facts that come to light. I find the Foreign community will always defend the foreigner involved without knowing the full story at the same time its often the Filipino media that will jump the gun on the facts from the other side. The big issue comes around when things do go wrong gets a rough story published that shows a foreigner in a bad light and never followed up with the truth.
E.g. in the West if you called someone a murderer in a newspaper article and found not guilty there is a good chance you can request an apology if not sue for a payout if it was unfounded.
Paying people off is something I refuse to do and haven’t had to do it. Although recently I was talking to an Expat who was “buying” a 13(a) Visa illegally which is costing him too much and its not going to be valid if anyone looks any further than a quick check. Like has been stated above a lot of the problems are caused by Expats and a lot of the time they are looking for the bribe in the first place then complain about they amount they paid.
Also I think there is a severe amount of BS that floats around in the internet and Expat community that drum things up as either being first hand knowledge or blow things out of context.
Hi Matt – I agree with you that in most cases, foreigners will always defend the foreigner, whether he deserves it or not! 😉 I’ve seen a few of those unfair articles in the paper too, when a foreigner is accused, yet nothing is ever proven.
Over a period of 20 years so I think I have paid traffic policemen perhaps 5 times – usualy 2-300pesos, the gentleman that paid 2000 was really taken! Some of the so-called violations for which my licence was to be taken were ludicrous – “you swerved sir” on my first visit to the Mall of Asia when the big roundabout was blocked off and a change of lanes was a necessity.
“You signaled you were turning right then did not turn” – after I cancelled my signal when I realised it was no right turn on a one way street.Only in Manila have I ever had this problem.At Baclaran I have observed jeepney drivers dropping a few pesos into the policemens hands as they turned.On a couple of occasions I have acted dumb and refused to offer anything and as it is too much trouble for the police officer to take official action I was told to go and not repeat the “violation” It happens in Manila frequently but driving in the provinces it is a different situation.
Hi Bryan – Ha ha… those are a few classic tales of “payoff attempts” that you’ve encountered. Thanks for sharing them!
Hi Bob,Here in Dipolog I have found the police very helpful I have been pulled over maybe 3 times in four and a half years.The one time that sticks out when driving with a learners permit(have been driving for over 40 years mostly professional)And not knowing that on a learners permit you must have a licensed driver with you.I had a mate from Tasmania (AUS) with me and the police asked me for my license and I showed him my permit which was not good enough so he asked my passenger for his license but of course his was AUS so quick thinking on my part I told the police no worries and showed him my Australian licence and said it was an international license knowing he has probably never seen one and I was promtly on my way.Another time I was pulled up for not wearing a selt belt.They wanted to take my Phili license and I would have to collect from thier office.And pay a 1500 peso fine.I wouldnt allow him to take my license and said I would sue him as it was my property and I had just gone thru the hassel of renewal.He was a young guy from the LTO and fell for my bluff.My message is you dont have to pay bribes if you use your head but be polite.
Hi Ron – Ha ha.. after 40 years of driving they made you get a learner’s permit! Ha ha.. that’s a classic! Good thinking on the Aussie license!
Hi Bob If any of your readers are interested and happen to be in Dipolog the expats meet on the afternoons of Tuesday and Saturdays at the Dipolog Chinese Cuisine in Malvar St in the city.Usual BS,Sit around and insult every ones nationality and have fun doing it.Any one welcome.cColdest beer in town.Just ask for Kiwi Ron.
Hi Ron – If I’m ever in Dipolog, I’ll look you up!
I’m surprised that no one has made reference to the taglish term ‘alligator’, referring to the traffic regulator police who position themselves at critical traffic flow locations. I have only encountered them in metro Manila.
My experiences have been two instances in 2004 when I was (‘Driving with Daisy’), with myself as the driver.
First one was when we were looking for a car part in an area SW of metro Manila where all the used car parts stores are located. Going down a street ending in a dead end ‘T’ with a home made sign showing not the universal signage ‘circle – slash’ but only an arrow indicating curve to right – not a one way street. I turned left. Immediately I was waved down and confronted by the alligator. He requested me turn in my US-DL and my AAA-INTL-DL and later to return to Manila and pay fine to get my DL’s returned. Daisy switched into her confrontational mode and let him have a barrage of highly enthusiastic tagalog. We paid him a few pesos (P100) and went on our way.
Second one was when we were driving on EDSA and attempting to avoid a suddenly stopping bus, drove/swerved around this obstacle and was immediately waved over by the ubiquitous alligator. Same story – same result.
Since then we have Daisy’s cousin Jason to drive us when we drive to Manila!
He drives the route regularly and knows the in’s and outs!
Presently Daisy prefers to do the driving, saying I drive too slow and cautiously!
OK with me.
Since the new presidency and the new enthusiasm regarding traffic and vehicle enforcement..
Daisy has replaced her wah wah with a standard horn. How very effective it was before…
And replaced her cracked windshield, as that is enforced rigorously too.
Now if only the new government would only crack down on those loose dogs…
Alligator.. I thought that was English, not Taglish! 😉 Ha ha
It’s not all bad though…
While a certain few can aptly fit the definition of alligator, love that descriptive taglish word.
There is another breed of traffic police that are quite the opposite. The dancing traffic police. I recall seeing one once.
But here on you tube there are many:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=344U4zbYqHU&feature=related
Time for a little humor!
Jade
I’ll sit firmly on the fence on this one! Ha-ha!
I’ve been tapped for a donation several times, mostly in Manila and when travelling between Davao & GenSan. Sometimes cops, sometimes military. But I’m hoping by your article that this is less than an issue around Davao, these days. As most of it was insignificant amounts, I considered them a small “toll” to get to where I was going. By the same token, I’ve sat on Dayang beach with high-ranking police & military, partying into the wee hours, and being told that this was “vacationland”, but back in Davao one must behave. When I went to a police station near GenSan, asking for them to help me get my boat back, I met with serious fraud. But, I’m sure if I’d gone to another station, I would have received help. It’s not the badge, it’s the individual wearing it.
I think that, partially, Manila’s situation has to do with some of the less than desirable foreigners that were/are around. To be honest, a couple of days in Manila is enough for me, but that feeling comes from pollution issues and experiences I had of the foreigners who hung out in Ermita. You know the ones I mean, those that should have gone home, long ago, but ran out of money & would do pretty much anything to finance their stay. They are really a boil on the butt for the local police and local Filipinos and have given other foreigners a reputation that can only be erased over time.
There are good and bad people, some who are cops, all over the world. I’ve spent much less time in Bangkok & made more “donations”. In Taiwan, the only cops who don’t avoid foreigners are those which you really don’t want to be taking an interest in you, unless you’re teaching them and/or their family ESL. HK; ditto. Most countries; ditto.
Hi Mike – I’ve driven between GenSan and Davao probably nearly 100 times in the past 10 years… never had a problem, thankfully. Sorry to hear that you had fraud problems in GSC.
Ah well, Bob, that was a specific, significant series of events, which I’ve referred to before. But it is in the distant past & life is too short to dwell on it. As for other incidences, they were nothing more than paying “tolls”. Let’s be honest, which one of us would be willing to risk our lives, on a daily basis, for the renumeration that the police receive in The RP? Not this boy!
Very true, Mike!
i have no trouble with the PNP here .. all say hi say to me i go thru 3 check points going to Butuan and they wave me thru .. when you are standing in a crowed of 15 -20 policemen and their family’s and everyone is partying I think I am safe with them …
Hi Phil – same for me.. the cops always just wave me through the checkpoints… well most of the time anyway. When they don’t wave me through, when I put my window down they just smile and say hi, then wave me on!
Had two experiences in CdO in which I was wrong, but the police were essentially “farming” a location. One time I turned left on the main street toward Divisoria and yes, there was (and is) a small No Left Turn sign on a pole with MANY other signs. The other time was going over the bridge twoard the west bus station. On the bridge there are signs saying “do not block the lane”, and then when you get to the end of the bridge you find that straight ahead has a red light, but the right turn has a green. If you stop, as i did, 1,000 to make it go away.
I have also had an “accident” in which a 16 year old, no license on a motorcycle with no registration crashed into the side of my car. The police were totally correct in their behavior (as far as I could see). The driver had based up his mouth and teeth (of course no helmet) and needed to go tot the hospital. I paid 10,500 negotiated downward by the police on my behalf from the demands by the “grieving” parents.
Once, however, real police corruption. I was building my house and we were on the road in a truck from CdO with a load of green slate and plants – with all the correct permits. We were stopped by the police and, of course, our paperwork was not corect and they would have to seize the cargo and fine us. At that time, I was consulting for Asian Development Bank in Manila. I pulled out my ADB ID card and told the police that we would do what they demanded, but they would have to give me a receipt, since my contract stated that any fees that I paid would have to be refunded by the Dept. of Finance to the ADB and this Department would want to know who had the money. Off we went.
Hi ProfDon – Interesting experiences! I especially got a chuckle out of your last example! They don’t like it when you ask for an official receipt! 😆
“The police were totally correct in their behavior (as far as I could see). The driver had based up his mouth and teeth (of course no helmet) and needed to go tot the hospital. I paid 10,500 negotiated downward by the police on my behalf from the demands by the “grieving” parents. ”
The police were totally correct in their behavior? Can you explain that? A kid runs into YOU, gets hurt, and YOU pay 10,500 pesos? That is correct behavior? I have actually seen a instance in Manila where the police and the “victim” were in together on the deal.
Police corruption in the Philippines is EVERYWHERE…however it is usually against filipinos because they are not willing to fight it. Many foreigners will simply say they are not going to put up with it.
I saw a situation in Dipolog where a van driver did NOTHING wrong…NOTHING…and the police made him pay something near 500 pesos to continue on with his trip to Sindangan. He simply paid it because if he didn’t he would have lost the fares of about 11 people on the van.
Ha ha ha ha………….. You all know that those are not bribes, They are simply donations !
At least that is what I was told when I had to make donations to half the clerks at the municiple building where my wife lived, a clerk in Tacloban, a PNP chief, a Judge and the local Priest. who by the way, demanded the largest dontion ! hahaha
Hi Clay – sounds like the Priest got away with the bounty!
All the PNP I have encountered in the Phils have been polite, courteous and professional. A little less professional in the provinces but not in a bad way just less aloof. The only incidents I hear of are always second hand and generally occur in Angeles City or Manila and usually it turns out there are mitigating circumstances…The only ‘problems’ I’ve run into once in a while is the ‘skin tax’ from trike drivers or cabbies, etc. but who can blame them for asking a few extra pesos from a ‘rich’ kano, lol.
I have been to the Philippines on 22 different occasions since 1987.Personally,I haven`t had much trouble with the cops other than a 20 peso J walking fine (my dumb fault) in Surigao,but then again, I had the feeling, that`s what he lies in wait for, all day.My first time in 1987,I was with a friend.We went to Ermita,when a cop made a pest of himself.He tried to con me out of some money, by accusing my friend of being an unlicensed tour guide.He got nothing from me,after hanging around us for over two hours ( He got a can of coke actually) eventually he just left us.In 2008,I went to Angeles City with two greenhorn Aussies.One of then got into a fight in a bar,knocking out two security guard,and allegedly punching a police officer,causing injury to the cop’s hand and the security dudes.He was put down with a taser stun gun,and thrown in the slammer all night.He eventually bribed his way out of gaol with almost ($1000 USD),after receiving threats of all kinds.I`d say the hot spots for problems with corrupt cops are in areas where prostitution is rife, such as Angeles or Manila,where corrupt cops run all sorts of scams to con money out of foreigners.Be extra careful there.Be careful of strangers who`ll approach you in the streets.They ask innocent like questions;” where are you from?”You`ll say Melbourne,Sydney,London,San Diego,by coincidence he has a sister working as a nurse in your nominated home town.He`ll invite you to his house,and before you know it,you`re being scammed in a set up card game or some other con job.In my experience most Filipina ladies are wonderful to be with,but a Filipino male you don`t know, is going to be trouble,especially the one`s that approach you on streets!The Philippines is a nice place to holiday,but always remain alert.
One very classic example of a very corrupt police chief even in a very remote and poor town in the Philippines is the one assigned in Anda, Bohol. He is still young but already a bad example.
Lots of corrupt policemen in Angeles City cuz my daughter is one of their victim since 2008 and their dept is in PDEA.
I’ve never experienced the shake-down either while in the Philippines. However, my wife went back to their to visit her family. One of her family members was in legal trouble. A younger (around 30 yrs old) officer told my wife that she was needed to go over some details about the case. The officer drove her to a vacant house and raped her. This is not a joke and I am not just making up a story to incite a reaction. This really did happen and I feel so helpless and regret not being there to protect her. What recourse do we really have? Who can you go to when the police are the ones that did the crime? I’ve gone from extreme anger and wanting to put a bullet in this guy’s head, to crying hysterically that this happened to my wife. What can we really do?
Hi Bob – I am sorry to hear of what happened with your wife. Terrible.
Hi Bob- Your website is really fantastic! I’ve read some of those comments with different experiences they’ve encountered with the Philippine Nationa Police.I do agree with one of the earlier comments stating that if you behave yourself,treat Philippines,( meaning its people and its environment,)you wanted to be treated nothing won’t harm you. Philippines is a nation with love,hospitality and respect to any race,its actually amusing how filipino respect foreigners especially white people while in foreign countries like Europe,US and UK wont treat foreigners the way filipinos treat foreigners.Undeniably,there are few fetid eggs in the PNP but there are still lots of candid Police,who were earnest in their job they were called to do.While going over to some of those comments made earlier.The way I perceived regarding those bad experiences with all those bribes omitted by few of the PNP and traffic enforcers were mainly befell in the urbanised areas while on the contrary its scarcely to occur in the rural areas especially in the North of Philippines.Its really I’ll fated that these few fetid Policemen were assigned in urban areas like Manila.But,in fairness PNP is one of the best I could say in terms of dedication and assiduousness despite the fact that they were ill- equipped it didn’t hinder them from serving and protecting the people regardless of race.For those victims of villain Police,I would advice you to address your complain to the appropriate office of the PNP for investigation and awareness.In Addition,especially drivers pls don’t tolerate bribery nor don’t tempt any PNP by giving bribe money.
Thank you Juls, I’m glad to know that you like my site!
Hi Bob its me Maria. been a long time i havent browsed your site. just a query: have you ever visited La Union? please get in touch or send message to my e mail: [email protected]. really wanted to meet you in person.many things to discuss with regarding Philippine National Police. you can meet me at Rosario Police Station, if you go to Baguio City you will pass by my station. To all who commented with my blog regarding corruption of the Police, thank you very much. i wish to discuss with you all unfortunately i have limited time to browse. I wish you all luck, more blessings and good health. my snappy salute to all of you!
Hi Maria – Welcome back! Happy to have you here! I have never been to La Union. The furthest north I’ve been in Luzon is Pampanga. One of these days I might make it up there, and if I do I will try to look you up there!
Hi Bob anything new in this site? Haven’t browse for a period of time. Do you have any lecture/seminar/course offered by your group/company? I wish to be a part of it. Should you wish to give details (if any) please forward it to my e mail addd: [email protected]
Also i wish all the best to all bloggers in this site, May God bless you all and hope to have a healthy discussions with you guys.
Sincerely,
Maria