It’s that time again! Yep, Podcast time. I am back again with another edition of the Expat Answer Man Podcast! Today we have Episode 10.
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Is it safe to visit the Philippines?
Today, it’s a question that I hear every single day, it seemingly never ends! Is it safe in the Philippines? Yep, it’s the question that never stops! Let’s address it head on today, and make some comparisons to other places around the world. We’ll see if the Philippines is really the dangerous place that so many people seem to think it is! Well, I am pretty sure that you can guess what my answer might be, but why not give a listen and hear my reasoning on the question. Maybe it will make you or other people think a little differently! I hope it does anyway.
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Thanks again for listening, everybody!
Well, as it turns out, the Philippines is not at all a very safe place for foreigners, as you can see here
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/philippines/TQAEQ0DH4T7M12I5E
I can agree, after a couple of visits, that I don’t feel unsafe in the Philippines. But I am always with my filipina wife or members of her family. But IF you come into trouble in the Philippines, it seems to me that you will feel that you have no rights at all.
Hi Stein – As I specifically said in the podcast, no country in the world is perfectly safe, including the Philippines. Sure, people get murdered in the Philippines. The list that you linked to indicates that it has been a year since the last foreigner was killed in the Philippines. How many foreigners do you think were killed in the past year in the USA or Australia or England? More than one, I am sure.
I wonder if you even listened to the podcast, because at the end of the podcast I even talked about the fact that foreigners get murdered here or subjected to other types of crime.
You feel safe because you are with your Filipina wife. Does she carry a gun, or somehow jump out and fight with potential murderers? If so, how many murders has she stopped in the past year? I am pretty sure it is zero. In fact, if somebody wanted to kill you, I doubt that having your Filipina wife with you would slow them down much, if at all.
The list did not stop because murders stopped. But that is inconsequential. The reason a foreigner is safe – or safer – with a filipino – is that he is under some “native” protection, he “belongs” there. .Ask foreigners who have been into the Manila squatter areas and they will tell you. My wife is a trained security worker, but that means nothing. The point is: if a foreigner is moving around in unsafe surroundings he is fair game. Not even the police will help him. If he is with filipinos he is not safe, but safer.
In the last year, under the impression of a few cases of child abusing foreigners, there have been a rising anti-foreigner rhetorics, like in Angeles and Negros. You may not acknowledge it, but a GREAT proportion of tourists to the Philippines are men looking for fun. One can mean whatever one wants about this, but with today’s laws, ANY foreigner having a beer in a bar CAN be caught by the police. And ANY foreigner caught in the company of a bargirl can be prosecuted not only for using the service of a prostitute, but also for child abuse and trafficking. This with no consideration of actual age or anything else. And this is why someone in a year or so may have to answer to why tourism to Philippines goes drastically down. I’m at any time willing to discuss why the present witch-hunt in bars means nothing but increased suffering for thousands of filipino families.
Stein – I am sorry, but I feel that you are very much an alarmist. I have lived here for going on 15 years. You mentioned visiting here, so I assume you do not live here. I think I am pretty familiar with the place.
Frankly, I don’t hang out with bar girls and that sort. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that, it is just not for me. But, for those who do that sort of thing… the risks of violence are certainly increased, I have never said otherwise. But, being involved in that type of activity means increased risk whether it be in Angeles City, Los Angeles,California or London, England.
Plain truth is we live in a 3rd world or 2nd world country…Things happen here I have always felt safe here (9 years)…But one never knows as there are elements here that have hate in them…But i see it coming to the U S and Europe also as of late…So I just live my life here be happy and don’t worry about it …I think everyone carries it in the back of there mind no matter where they live..
I would have to say, Lenny, I am pretty much in agreement with what you say. Bad things happen everywhere. Look at the situation in Ferguson, MO in the USA over the past few weeks. we just don’t see that type of violence here in the Philippines.
I have lived in the Philippines more than 20 years and I wholeheartedly agree with the observations of Mr. Stein Hoftvedt. The more you involve yourself with Filipinos and the Philippines, the more you will experience that you, in fact, as a foreigner or expat have no rights whatsoever, and the more dangerous your life will turn out to be.
Sitting by your carport in the province all day or never really engaging yourself with the problems and the life of people in the different strata of the Philippine society, will always give you a false sense of security, and, of course, by this kind of sedate lifestyle, taking all kinds of precautions, you will minimize the risk of running into trouble as well.
But living in this kind of “safe mode” will never give you much excitement nor will it give you any real sense of all the dangers that lurk in the Philippines, particularly for foreigners.
The more you involve yourself in Filipino business as an expat, the more unsafe you will find out that you are. And God help you if you are ever arrested, robbed, mauled, jailed, accuse or swindled, no matter how innocent you are.
That’s the time when you will really find out how much they love foreigners and expats in this country.
Hi Roar – I don’t “sit by my carport”, so I am not sure what you mean by that. But, you said that if you involve yourself with Filipinos you will experience will experience more danger. That is the opposite of what Stein said, he said being around Filipinos is what brings you safety.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I think you already understood I was referring to Filipinos and the Philippines in a broader sense, not your closest family or wife, although it must be said that thousands of foreigners have run into grave danger and tons of problems exactly through their girlfriends and wives…
Roar – Thanks for the follow up. I can only relay my experience and the experience of the people I know. I don’t know a single person who has experience danger of violence and such here in the Philippines in the 15 years that I have been here. Your experience may be different than mine, but given that you have lived here for 20 years, per your previous statement, it would seem that you have not been attacked or anything.. you are still alive, after all. Everybody may have different experiences, but in my experience I feel that the Philippines is quite safe.
I find it very interesting that so many people are worried about getting mugged in the Philippines. I have never lived in the Philippines but been there nine times over the last twenty years and never felt in fear for my life or person. The people I have met there have always treated me with the utmost respect and care. They are most worried that I might fall and hurt myself!! I don’t hang out at bars when I go there but do drink with family and friends–more than I do when here in the U.S. I have always slept very well there and usually feel safer there than when at home. My biggest fear there is weight gain. I tend to eat to much and blow any diet I was on before going there. My mother in law there is always feeding me too much plus I love going to Shakeys Pizza there as we don’t have them here any more. She learned that she could make me one large pan cake instead of many small ones for breakfast…….sorry I drifted….
Hi Don, nice to hear from you, thanks for adding a voice of reason to the comments. I must say, your experience mirrors mine!
Off coarse, every country has its own types of risks. Even in Canada we have some nasty areas best avoided. I travel a lot, and honestly, the only places I have been scared and ended up in serious danger was in Atlanta, Detroit, and New Jersey. I have seen areas in Europe that I avoided.
I have traveled in many Asian countries, and there, as in most areas, avoid the high crime area, bars late at night, and anywhere where alcohol is copiously consumed.
Acting like an idiot, exhibiting risky behavior, and not minding your own business are a bad formula anywhere. I have seen many expats in Davao acting in a manner that would get there a$$es kicked in Canada.
Plain and simple, dont be dumb.
Don’t be dumb. That, Bill, is some of the best advice that can be offered. And it applies to nearly any aspect of life.
Follow a New York City news website for a week or more, and you will most likely find every day someone is getting killed for any number of reasons. Construction cranes toppling over, runaway taxis and limos ( amongst other vehicles ) out of control crashing through store fronts, under=street utility explosions blowing man hole covers off the street followed by such things as fire, smoke, high pressure water from broken water mains, pieces of building facads falling off. Then there are the usual murders, muggings, rape, subway muggers and snatchers, domestic violence and much much more. Then there are the gang wars, drug wars stabbings, shootings and as most of the world is well aware a touch of major terrorism. All this and much much more and yet millions from all over the world come to visit New York City every year, have an enjoyable time and have some great memories that will last them a lifetime.
Just as in other cities or countries, there are places that you can go and using common sense as applied to the area you wish to be in, and in some cases what I would call ” city smarts ” , similar things I have mentioned above could be applied to certain areas of The Philippines as well as anyplace else.
If there is any certain area you think you would care to visit, there is an abundance of information about it on the internet in travel websites, personal blogs, commercial blogs, press websites, city and locality websites and much more. The more you learn about a certain place or area the better equipped you will most likely be in knowing what to expect, what to avoid etc.
I will admit that the first time I developed a desire to visit The Philippines there were a few things I was a bit reluctant about including personal safety. After seven visits I can not deny the fact that they have been the best vacations I have ever had.
Hi Bob – Thanks for sharing. From the way I read your comment, it would seem that you are confirming my thoughts that no place in the world is safe these days. Bad things can, and do, happen anywhere. The Philippines is, generally, no different than any other place! Use common sense.. or as Bill said earlier… “don’t be dumb” and you will be just fine!
Correct, MindanaoBob. I was in London when the IRA was quite active and one of the major rail stations was closed as a precaution. It did not stop me from going to the world famous Harrods Department store to see and experience it.
There are precautions that may apply to tropical climate countries that may or may not apply in other parts of the world such as Dengue Fever, certain insects etc. Once again common sense and know before you go can make situations like these a lot more under control as has been discussed here on ” LIP ” many times. Things particular to Tropical Climate Countries of course apply not only to The Philippines.
Hey Bob, in cold climates precautions ate necessary as well. For instance you gotta make sure tour heavy coat is in the suitcase! 😉
Yes, and people do get heart attacks from shoveling snow, people falling through ice covered ponds and lakes and drowning. Driving in the snow trying to avoid sliding off the road or into other vehicles or them crashing in to you. And hope you don’t loose your electricity or source for heat or your in wall and other plumbing will freeze as well as yourself freezing in your own house.
Now I am sure there is a tropicalized version of things like this too LOL
hmm… yes, Bob… snow shoveling and sliding in the ice, those are also safety concerns that I had not thought of!!
Unfortunately, people who should know better are the ones that seem to get into the trouble. And there are a lot of killings/attacks on people I know (maybe I associate with the wrong crowd) , at least in Manila that attracts more crime due to its size. The thing that does trouble me is little follow-up for convictions.
– US Marine Major killed at Bel-Air at early hours of the morning. 4 youths arrested, and later released and 3 have disappeared.
– Manager of Blue Rock (Olangapo) killed by ex employee after he let go staff during the slow season. Staff was known to all, but not arrested.
– My friend walking across the street (Makati) talking on his phone had his arm slashed from behind to steal his phone.
– Another friend, in a group, had his head hit with a rock while crossing (Makati) because he was white.
– Friend in Malate was chasing someone who was defacing his bike, and then led into an alleyway full of his friends to try and way lay him. Police arrested him instead of others.
No, Philippines is not perfectly safe, but its still better than most others. Note that most of these attacks happened in toursit areas. So keep aware of your surroundings and dont walk around while too drunk.
Hi Don, thanks for sharing your experience and that of your friends. I am lucky that I have not experienced any of this, nor have my friends.
Hi Bob,
I think a lot of people think in a simple equation:. Poverty = Crime. They see the obvious poverty and they assume that it has to be unsafe.
I think I would tend to agree with your thinking on that, Jay.
I have traveled to quite a few places during my tenor in the US Army. It seems every town or city on this beautiful planet has its bad areas and its nice areas. Typically, if you stay away from the bad areas you will have less problems. I never had any issues in any of the places I have lived or visited because I used common sense. Does this mean that I am going to visit Zamboanga, Basilan or Jolo, Sulu again, when I move to Ilocos next April? I can tell you a very honest no. I met some very nice people when I was down there for work that I still keep in touch with, We will have to meet on more comfortable territory for me. This is again my common sense kicking in.
There you go, Gary! You have summed it up quite nicely.
Hi Bob ,
I agree with most of what you are saying … The Guy hit the nail on he Head don’t be dumb … Although Manila like any other large city = danger Just like in the USA . If you do not know the place or with someone that does you’re dead.. My wife and I just drove from 100 Islands to Davao , the only unsafe places Manila ( large city ) The first 4 Baranggay, of Samar dangerous . care is needed . Other than that Ive been here 4 years no issues . All this talk about Rights ? for one in the USA you do not have rights , we have limitations on the GOV , people always gets this confused and when talking or barking at the police about your so called RIGHTS , well you lose any protection in the USA , or Philippines you might have had . Bar girls = trouble under court law , prostitution of any age is considered molestation of a minor .
Hi Rich – Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems to pretty much line up with my thinking. I hope you are enjoying life in Davao!