9 replies to this topic

[boss45]

At least this does not happen in LOS, yet!


http://news.yahoo.co...-040449763.html

[peterdelite80]

boss,

That is Southern Philippines and it is considered a "Red Zone" or no tourism zone. The islands in the Visayan (Cebu) region and north (Manila/Angeles/Quezon) are tourist friendly. The remaining islands south of the Visayas are the "red zone".

I hope this helps and doesn't limit your future fun.

PD

[petesie]

Thanks for the worthwhile input on the subject Peter.

[drhoneytongue]

Some of the best diving in the Philippines is in Mindanao - that so-called "Red Zone". Dakak up on the NW Coast by Dapitan, and the area Surigao / Siargao down to Lianga on the Eastern side. Not as accessible as Moalboal or Tambuli on Cebu, or Puerta Galera on Mindoro, but the journey in itself can be an adventure.

Have been all around Zamboanga, and further over to Basilan Island, in the Sulu Archipelago, which is rebel country; met the MNLF down there many years ago, in the days of Nur Misuari.

Being able to speak some Tagalog, or even some Visaya or Badjiao helps; not displaying any bling or valuables, looking like a rich 'Cano, can prevent you being robbed; a few basic streetwise precautions and not falling for the usual "sick father/ crippled sister/ dying mother/ friend who works as a dealer in a casino/ college fund-needing brother/ orphan worker/ charity donor scams'; and of course enlisting the services of a local guide can save a lot of tears and hassle.

The Philippines does get some bad press, but like Thailand, most of the violence is directed inwards at their own people. Tourism is big business for them, and anything that prevents 'rich foreigners' spending and re-distributing their wealth is soon dealt with.

[xyzzy]

There has been a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand for years with a couple of thousand dead. Including execution style murders and be-headings. Doesn't make as much news as it used to so hopefully it has settled down a bit.

[Macman]

I think it has settled down some, X. Recently there have been talks between the rebels and the government which I hope will produce some kind of resolution for the problem. While the "Red Zone" is indeed troublesome, crime is probably on the rise throughout the islands because of the rotten economy. The Philippines are being hit very hard by it. There's already some terrible poverty here, and now, with the worldwide slump, many Filipinos who relied on overseas work are finding it impossible to get any. Even nursing, always a reliable choice for both Filipino men and women, is suffering. Other countries, like the U.S., Canada and even Saudi Arabia are only hiring their own citizens lately. The safety of that career choice is so ingrained in the culture here that families are insisting that their children become nurses. The result is that the schools are churning out nurses even as many are returning from abroad for lack of work, causing a huge unemployment glut. A lot of recent nursing graduates are now heading straight to the call centers, the only booming field here.

[boss45]

Now add this to the mix


http://www.abs-cbnne...ok-bound-pinoys

[kartika]

And how many bashings, murders, robberies, rapes and kidnappings happened in the rest of the world at the same time.......including Thailand......Shitloads..... Just a reality check of the modern world. I travel to the Philippines often and without trouble. Most of the trouble there is in the Muslim south. How many guys here travel to the Muslim South of Thailand these days and expect a happy safe trip? Stay in the right areas and there won't be a problem.....unless you are in the wrong part of South Los Angeles at the wrong time of the day...Cheers

[deepthroat69]

Jesus,

That's still safer than my neighborhood here in the USA anytime after dark.

[thedane]

When i was in Manila 2 years ago i lived next to the wors slum in manila! I did not have any problems there becorse the people often comes whit friendly advics like where to go n not to! And there is a shit load of police any where so its almost as safe as ad home!
And if u wanna be safe finde a nice lb there 4 your stay she will keep you out of trubbels!

Cheers!