Safety Concerns And The Current Trend

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Hey Steve
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Good morning/evening everyone. I'm looking at news reports recently that seem to show a downward trend in the outlook regarding safety from neighboring countries visiting the Philippines these days. The news reports (from a global prospective) recently show deepening concerns coming from both South Korea and China regarding thier citizens both living and visiting in the Philippines. (not sure when the next travel advisories will be released...) China is telling all potential  tourists to stay away from the Philippines in light of a recent kidnapping (which was in the Zamboanga area-nothing too unusual in that area-hmm). News reports are also showing how the police themselves are deeply involved in criminal activities as well. More and more it seems no governing body seems to be able to stop or slow this trend down. Add to the mix the already criminal behavior peppered through the land which is pretty much common knowledge. Now, we all know the issues regarding certain areas in Mindanao and the militant factions in those areas that we are all well advised to steer clear of, but I guess what I'm asking is "Do any of you feel more today than years past that safety in general in the Philippines will soon become a talking point as to continuing to stay as an Expat?" ....or is it a trend as what goes up must come down?

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Old55
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No one knows the true crime rate in Philippines. We all know there is little justice in Philippines unless you are connected to a powerful family. For the most part Filipino police and government are ineffective, corrupt and lack the means or the will to fight crime. 

China has taken over Spratly Islands and is in a war of words with Philippines in the media. Chinese media is pleased to bad mouth Philippines at any opportunity. Chinese gangs are active in Philippines mixing and shipping Meth.

Korean organized crime is active in Philippines and in part responsible for the death of some Korean citizens in Philippines.

Good question, I too am curious what those living there now think of safety in Philippines. I know for a fact some areas around Cebu City have become dangerous the past few years due to Meth-Shabu induced crime.  

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jpbago
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I know for a fact some areas around Cebu City have become dangerous the past few years due to Meth-Shabu induced crime.  

 

Poverty and shabu are a bad mix. Rich people and cocaine are no problem. The shabu freaks don't sleep for days, just wandering around looking for more. It used to be that you only had to worry at night, but here, there have been a number of daytime home invasions and muggings. I have seen documentaries on how meth has devastated some mid west towns in the USA. Also the drivers on shabu are something to avoid. With no enforcement, I can see this problem getting worse.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2014/09/12/police-chief-relieved-365121

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Hey Steve
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Wow Scott..this is why this forum is a goldmine-with boots on the ground experience. The value of expats such as yourself and others IN the Philippines sharing the true reality and giving this advice to those of us not yet there is invaluable. In a lot of ways we have to rely on the media for a lot of information from the outside looking in vs the reality of what you describe and the experience with your every day lives. Thanks for the reality check. It seems it's the same yesterday-as it is today-as it will be tomorrow for the expat armed with common sense as being his best weapon. 

I suppose if there is REAL cause for alarm for expat safety...I will likely find it here (and that's a big IF).

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jon1
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I agree with Scott. Common sense goes a long ways over here (as very few have any :)) ). 

 

Another way to keep out of the cross hairs is to not start up a business. Competition is keen and just when you think you have found your niche, someone will come along and muscle you out or rub you out to take over said enterprise.

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jpbago
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The news reports (from a global prospective) recently show deepening concerns coming from both South Korea and China regarding thier citizens both living and visiting in the Philippines. (not sure when the next travel advisories will be released...) China is telling all potential  tourists to stay away from the Philippines in light of a recent kidnapping (which was in the Zamboanga area-nothing too unusual in that area-hmm).

 

Korea is also issuing warnings to it's people: 

 

Just recently, the Korean Embassy expressed alarm over the rising number of Koreans killed by criminals in the Philippines since early this year.

Ambassador Hyuk Lee warned that Korean businessmen will avoid the Philippines and seek safer places for doing business if crimes against Koreans persist.

“The rising incidence of crimes committed against Koreans while in the Philippines either on vacation or on business is a trend that has alarmed the embassy of the Republic of Korea,” he said.

This is in today's Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/gunmen-abduct-korean-businessman-zamboanga/126183/

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robert k
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I wonder if things have truly gotten worse or if it's just more press coverage?

 

Last year I had a pedicab driver tell me it wasn't safe at the Iloilo port when I just missed the last ferry. Actually he was the only one bothering me. I sent him off to find us a cab to take us and a young filipino family with a newborn to Dumangas pier because otherwise the baby would have been out all night with no cover because they were going to wait for the next ferry departing Iloilo at 6 AM. That was about the only time I can recall having any real concern at all. I walked for hours around Quezon city when I was there, the polution was a bigger hazard than the residents but I am a big guy only pushing 50 and don't walk around with my head in the clouds. I think paying attention to your surroundings is the decisive factor. If it looks like you don't belong there, then you probably don't.

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Julia
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don't carry lots of cash, don't get into shady deals and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

:th_exactly:

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Americano
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The news reports (from a global prospective) recently show deepening concerns coming from both South Korea and China regarding thier citizens both living and visiting in the Philippines. (not sure when the next travel advisories will be released...) China is telling all potential  tourists to stay away from the Philippines in light of a recent kidnapping (which was in the Zamboanga area-nothing too unusual in that area-hmm).

 

Korea is also issuing warnings to it's people: 

 

Just recently, the Korean Embassy expressed alarm over the rising number of Koreans killed by criminals in the Philippines since early this year.

Ambassador Hyuk Lee warned that Korean businessmen will avoid the Philippines and seek safer places for doing business if crimes against Koreans persist.

“The rising incidence of crimes committed against Koreans while in the Philippines either on vacation or on business is a trend that has alarmed the embassy of the Republic of Korea,” he said.

This is in today's Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/gunmen-abduct-korean-businessman-zamboanga/126183/

 

 

Quoting from the news article  "Initial investigation showed that the gunmen barged into the house of Li in Kabansalan town at around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday."

 

First of all he should have known better than to live in Zamboanga where the terrorist groups live and operate.  I make trips to Mindanao every year but would never live in Zamboanga or even go there for a one day trip.   Next the kidnapers should not be able to  "Barged into the house"  If you expect to be safe anywhere in the Philippines at night you need a secure location to live in.  For the minimum you need a security fence, iron bars on all windows, and sturdy doors with dead bolt locks that are always kept locked at night.  I keep mine locked 24 hours per day.  As someone said, assaults and robberies are happening during the day too.  A few months ago my neighbor was at work and his kids in school when someone broke into his apartment at about 10AM. The robber just used a flat tip screw driver to get in the front door because he didn't have a dead bolt lock.  The robber took his laptop, 9mm pistol, his 3 children's cell phones, and some cash.  Now my neighbor has a dead bolt lock.  Better late than never.

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