In the Western World, for decades now Graffiti has been a problem. In Urban areas, no matter where you looked, you could see Graffiti painted on the walls of buildings and such, and much of it was Gang-related Graffiti. It is not a good sign when a neighborhood starts to see Gang Graffiti, because that generally means that street gangs are moving into the area, and you can be sure that the neighborhood will be going to pot!
In years past, you never saw Graffiti in the Philippines. You would see things like old political campaign signs and such, but not Gang-type Graffiti. However, in the past 2 to 3 years, I have been seeing this kind of Graffiti at places in Davao, and it is something that worries me a bit.
photo credit: nozomiiqel
I have also seen articles in Philippine newspapers in the past few years referring to American Street Gangs coming into the Philippines and recruiting young Filipinos into the Gangs. I am talking about gangs like the Bloods and the Crips. As far as I can tell, it is not a huge problem… yet. It is something that needs to be stopped, before parts of the Philippines look like East L.A. We surely don’t want that to happen.
Recently, I saw an article in the Sun Star Baguio about a Filipino who was involved with the “Pinoy True Crips Gang” in that City, who was arrested for a murder in the area. I have seen other such articles in Philippine publications over the years too.
What do you think? Can this trend be stopped before it grows too big? Have you heard more about Street Gang activity in the Philippines?
I find alot less graffiti in Manila than most American cities but
it seems that gang violence has manifested itself in Cebu in the form of "fraternities."
From Sun Star Daily
"A long-running rivalry between Akrho and Tau Gamma has resulted in shootings, stabbings and other violent clashes that have claimed lives from both fraternities and civilians." This has been ongoing for some years.
RS
Hi Rob S – I agree, the graffiti and such is a lot less here. The scary thing, though, is that it is starting to appear. I hope that it can be "nipped in the bud." so to speak.
My perception of the gangs we have in my smaller US city is that they are mostly involved in drug activity. Are drugs a big problem there in Davao?
Hi Randy C – Yes, drugs are an issue here, as I suppose they are worldwide anymore. The drug of choice in the Philippines, from what I know, is called Shabu, which is the same as meth-amphetamine.
this actually has been around for some time, bob. but it is difficult to see it because the gang culture usually revolves around high school. i've known this since my school days.
cebu gangs like OBS would tag js gaisano in the early 90s. california based pinoy gangs are notorious & well-known. gangs like satanas, RPB & bahala na gang have charters in the philippines. the bloods & crips are a little late in this regard. all from the same type of gang format. there are more, but why advertise for them.
but im not too worried about this since its likely that it won't break into mainstream. these gangs are "amboy" & "fil-am" based. not an image that locals can relate to.
still, there definitely are gangs in davao. that's easy. but you won't be seeing drive-bys with glocks or elaborate tags on the walls. too pricey for the local type (even the spray cans & bullets). the local groups could even be hired with cigarette packs (like marlboro reds).
there are more likely knife fights ("rumbles") & problems a normal city experiences. the shoot outs are more from the scions of political clan rivalries (i've actually witnessed some) & the graffit from campaign violations. there's the problem.
the frat rivalries are a joke too. in college & high school, i would see long-time friends face off because of their allegiance to a frat. this is all in davao, i may add, but occurs nationwide. then every so often it hits headlines and the routine outcry for change etc.
im not trying to paint a bad picture here, just saying its a different type of "gang" mentality that is more of a problem.
oh, and the drug problems too. they're very real & i feel more prevalent in many areas of davao. shabu is one of them.
The Major of Davao needs to warm up his helicopter for a few " free' rides again !!!!
Cebu has a similar graffiti problem… – In fact have graffiti tagged all over my firewall at my house…
As for gangs – ( ➡ In my opinion) FOR THE MOST PART….. the little dongs running around here are purely "wanna be's" I have talked with a lot of the bangers around here, even treated a few of the groups to rounds of beer and they really have no idea what gang life is all about – They get their ideas and there image from the states where gangs are an actual problem… I actually met two dongs hanging out with each other one was a crip and the other was claiming blood…. hmmmm…. only in the PI…. MOST OF the gangs here are just a group of unorganized punks running around claiming something they don't understand… are they dangerous…? Yes… But it is nothing like the states. I don't believe that gangs are a way of life here in the PI, where as in the states some have no choice – your either forced into gang life or you join for protection…. Here it is more of a choice and an image preference.
In the states I lived in a city of between 100,000 and 150,000 population, in the PI I live in a city of about the same size. Graffiti
seems to be about the same in each place, the difference is in the
states it was gang related while in PI it seems to be political slogans.
Rick
Hi macky – Thanks for your input! Most of what you say fits right in with what I hear, so it's good to have confirmation like that.
Hi Brian – 😆
Hi Ben Worthington – Interesting insights! Yeah, I think it is true that a lot of these guys are imitating what they see on movies and such.
Hi Rick Austin – I see gang graffiti in places nearly every day. Not old political slogans and posters (although I see that too).
My opinion is reflected in what has already been said here. What I can add is, unlike the States, jail IS A DETERRENT. Pinoy jails are quite bad, harsh and very very nasty places to be. Everyone knows that and doesn't want to have to spend time there. Yes you have a few hardcore criminals, but generally these guys may try to talk the talk, but they can't walk the walk. As for drugs, they are bigger problem than the gov wants to admit. Shabu is crystal meth and to a smaller extent crack cocaine. Jutes or Marijuana are a big problem also. Davao has the DDS which has driven it underground, but anyone who lives in the times beach area can tell you how much dealing goes on, mostly by the havo havo drivers at night. In Cebu I am familiar with Opra and Capitol heights and Shabu dealers are everywhere. Jutes are 10 sticks for P100, and it is almost all grown by the NPA or Abu Sayyef to fund their campaigns. That being said, graffiti is not as prevalent in the Philippines as it is in the us, and not as scary. Try waking up one morning and finding your nice middle class suburb has been "tagged" by MS13!
Hi BrSpiritus – Thanks for posting that interesting information. Excuse my ignorance about the drug culture, but what is a "jute?" Is that the same as a joint, or a marijuana cigarette? Sorry, I honestly don't know.
Jutes are the Philippine name for marijuana.
Hi BrSpiritus – Thanks for the clarification on that. I didn't know that!
phillipine gangs? you can find the most notorious gangstas in the phillipines on Baguio city there a lot of gangs in there almost every corner of that place has gang graffitis ….at midnight u can see street fights drug racings and party on the streets but the gang members there would pretty much ask for money just for a short interview go to youtube they have slide shows there type est387 nst420 ptc211 and theres just a lot i can only remember a few of them go to imeem also check reckless asiatic gang or R.A.G there u hear songs bout their story and life……if u need any infor mation just send me an email
Hi denver – Thanks for the update. I did some YouTube viewing of the videos you mention, it just confirms what I already thought! Thanks again.
i dont think graffiti should be made up to be this huge deal. there is a difference between street art, and tagging. sure to some its vandalism to others however, its a great way to express one's self through art. Look at groups like PSP(pilipinas street plan) ow wee will doodle.. they are great examples of how graff artists like myself can turn this taboo art form into a real charitable benefit to society
Hi ryan- I wonder how you would like it when people start spray painting on some of your property? No big deal?
Graffiti is most worst here in the United states especially when you go to the streets of L.A. oh! men a lot of vandals that Baguio City.
you should also go ti immem to listen to the songs of the gang they called bloods just type renegades of funk they will tell you about all of their life and the things their doing
TROPU’NK is a group of people somewhere in eastern part of N.C.R.. they doing an illegal activities like selling illegal drugs,orgy and beaten those people that is not resident or passer by in their town.
torpun’ks are a group of notorious criminal and sex cult
Has anybody noticed the grafitti in Davao recently, slogans such as, “Govt is evil,” and “TV is mind control.”
Although I don’t condone grafitti, I do find it refreshing that there are people out there who are awake to these things.
For me, Walaytawo, I am opposed to graffiti, regardless of the message.
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is any type of public markings that may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings.
Vandalism on the other hand, is an act of marking or painting a property without the property owner’s consent which is a punishable crimes in most countries.
There’s a difference.
I am sorry, JOyce, I disagree. Our definitions of the English word “graffiti” is different.
Hey Bob, cool blog. I occasionally see graffiti over here in Quezon City, and to a lesser degree, I can recall the same in the Visayas, last time I’ve visited a few months ago. It seems as though most of the graffiti in these two places are indeed gang or political related, instead of having any artistic intent. Is anybody familiar with the gang “TBS”? I’ve been seeing their markings everywhere.
Thank you Steve, I’m glad you like my site! Yes, graffiti has become more and more of a problem here in the Philippines, even more since I wrote this article, which was several years ago. I’ve never heard of TBS, but I live in Davao.
tbs is a filipino gang
Good Day,Mister Bob..Your blog is helpful to me searching graffiti in Davao..By the way, Are you still in Davao?.. If so, how about now when it comes to graffiti in Davao..is it appear more than before? Where do you occasionally see them?
I’m no longer in Davao. We moved to the United States in January of this year.