Rules for Staying Safe in the Philippines

[smokey 22,071]

I avoid Fiesta's as they are full of drunks.  That seems to work well.

I have only ridden in a jeep 2 times and only once in a trike and once in a triskid ...  guess I am not blending in well

[oztony 36,121]

i reckon it's more dangerous to be aloof and give off a snooty vibe 

 

than it is too offer a passing farmer a seat and a cold beer

 

and hab a friendly chat in your front yard.

 

I tend to agree here Boss , that's how I roll , and I will add I have walked late Cebu , Manila and the province where our house is ,

never had a prob , mind you , I aint too purdy , maybe that's it.

[smokey 22,071]

Most of the rules for staying safe in the Philippines are just common sense and apply to any tourist anywhere in the world.

 

If you flash large amounts of money around in public,(( here that can be 500 peso in some areas ) particularly if out drinking and wandering around by yourself, you're setting yourself up as an easy target.

 

Learn what the laws are, and don't break them. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.(( Which laws the parking or driving I wish there were MORE lots more cops out in the streets enforcing the laws..)))  It's no defence to say, "But everone else is doing it!"

 

Learn about the local culture before visiting. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. What might get you a bloody nose in one country could get you killed in another. ((( See now that was the problem at mcdonalds if the guy did not understand what was being said he would do like most of us and just smile and then everyone would of been safe..)) 

 

Read up on the scams so that you are aware of them before you visit. Stay away from rigged card games, be careful of friendly strangers, don't get involved in investments with "guaranteed" huge returns, be aware that you can be scammed by an expat as well as by a local, etc, etc.

 

If you lie down with dogs, don't be surprised if you wake up with fleas.((( Hey I have 4 dogs but I only let one lie down next to me on the couch dogs are cool

 

Arrogance can get you into serious trouble, as can publicly humiliating a person.((  So if someone says hey can I F your GF or wife what do you say back that wont offend him but still not embarrass your wife or GF ?

 

Often a smile or joke can defuse an uncomfortable situation. ((  see don't learn the culture or language and you will be blissfully stupid

 

If you are the victim of an armed robbery, before arguing the toss, seriously consider whether your life is really worth less than the items being stolen.  You can always replace a stolen camera or wallet. Having said that, I've never been robbed in the Philippines (that I'm aware of).

 

Be aware of your surroundings.  There are some areas in Sydney I would't wander around by myself late at night, same in the Philippines. I'm comfortable wandering around the Colon area by myself, but know some people aren't. You have to make your own call, depending on your own comfort levels.

 

So far these rules have worked for me, as a tourist. Only once have I been in a situation where I had a real safety concern, and that turned out to be a non-event.

 

Different rules obviously apply to people living there, people running a business or getting involved in local politics, meeting people through the internet, etc. 

[smokey 22,071]

Never allow Filipino males into your house/yard. If you really do need to let them in, make sure you have backup in case they turn out to have a nasty plan. Two of the recent killings in Angeles were from situations like this.

 

At the very least, take pictures of them with your smart phone and send the pictures to someone else so at least they can be identified...

but if they see you have a smart phone then its on

[smokey 22,071]

The version of events I've heard was that the German (unarmed) was standing outside the front door of Mickey D's when three motorcycles with six Filipinos pulled up outside. At least three men with guns dismounted and at least one of them shot the German right there. The German then fled inside to a storage room, where he was chased down by one of the shooters and finished off with several close range shots.

 

I know one thing for sure, if I'm unarmed and attacked by armed hoodlums shooting at me, I'm gonna make like horses**t and hit the trail. However, I would've run away from the building rather than into it. Still might not survive, but definitely have a better chance on the street than cornered in a storeroom. If you want to get "confrontational" with armed assailants shooting at you, go for it.

maybe he thought a well lit store full of people and a guard was better then a dark ally way ...   to bad it was not Arizona them guys would of had lots of fun dodging bullets themselves

Edited March 1, 2015 by smokey

[ozboy 6,594]

 

 

Fly to the Philippines. Buy a lot .Build a 3 meter tall fence , top it with broken glass and razor wire. Build a concrete bunker inside the walls ,make sure all Windows are covered in steel bars with no gaps bigger than 2 inches. Hired two armed guards ,one to watch the heavily clad steel access gate and one to patrol the outside of the wall. Buy three trained guard dogs ,the bigger the better, to patrol the yard inside the walls. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE , if you need something have the guards send somebody for it

 

All needed specialists are right here on the forum.......

[oscarpears 830]

Be cautious always and listen to your gut instincts. 

 

Smile, but don't trust too readily, but remember, Filipinos are a sensitive and an emotionally intelligent race, they can read the writing in a smile, so when you are speaking to anyone, give them your attention and the kindness of your ear.  

 

Don't be flash with money, clothes or jewellery. Try to adopt an Asian sensibility and don't be loud or be a braggart, it marks you out as a fool in your own country and an even bigger fool in the Philippines.
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be"  if you have money and if someone really needs it, give it quietly as a gift not a "loan"

The opening lines of "Desiderata" if learnt my heart and repeated often will help you and keep you calm day by day in the Philippines.

 

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit." ...........................................

[Nangulo 1,131]

There are no rules for staying safe in the Philippines, or anywhere else, for that matter.  There are situations that you find yourself in; that you'll deal with in real time; based on your experiences, level of knowledge and personality.  You can be successful in dealing with your situation, or you can be unsuccessful.  But nobody should say, "Wait a minute.  I have to look up the rules for living here on LivingInCebuForums.com/  Hold, please."  Knowledge, common sense and (most of all) situational awareness are what you need -not rules.

[ROCO22 1,630]

you forgot but enjoy your life ... I like number 4 the most

 

Agreed, 4) Mind your own business & Don't be a Dick...simple

[ROCO22 1,630]

Fly to the Philippines. Buy a lot .Build a 3 meter tall fence , top it with broken glass and razor wire. Build a concrete bunker inside the walls ,make sure all Windows are covered in steel bars with no gaps bigger than 2 inches. Hired two armed guards ,one to watch the heavily clad steel access gate and one to patrol the outside of the wall. Buy three trained guard dogs ,the bigger the better, to patrol the yard inside the walls. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE , if you need something have the guards send somebody for it. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE , DON'T TALK TO ANY LOCALS !!

 

Be SURE to tell everyone how living in the Philippines isn't very safe......or fun

 

And....never, never, never go anywhere in Mindanao.

[David Spicer 218]

I've been living here for 8 years without a single incident. If I ever have to consciously consider "Rules for Staying Safe in the Philippines", I'm out of here.

[gentlerben 57]

Mr. DAVID SPICER, Wow. I hope this doesn't embarrass you but I followed your posts intently

before I moved here May 2010. Different web site. Then I lost track of your excellent posts.

 

You are my legend along with a Don from Negroes. Just wanted to say you are the "only guy"

that could make that statement of not a single incident and I absolutely believe. it. If I remember

your child should be quite a young growing girl now. Anyway, you made a dent in my thick skull.

 Peace to you and your lovely family, Miles in Davao, formally Cebu.

[ex231 3,951]

Fly to the Philippines. Buy a lot .Build a 3 meter tall fence , top it with broken glass and razor wire. Build a concrete bunker inside the walls ,make sure all Windows are covered in steel bars with no gaps bigger than 2 inches. Hired two armed guards ,one to watch the heavily clad steel access gate and one to patrol the outside of the wall. Buy three trained guard dogs ,the bigger the better, to patrol the yard inside the walls. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE , if you need something have the guards send somebody for it. STAY IN YOUR HOUSE , DON'T TALK TO ANY LOCALS !!

 

Be SURE to tell everyone how living in the Philippines isn't very safe......or fun

 

Ironically most of the people I see living like that are Filipinos. Maybe they know something you don't.

[throttleplate 1,910]

99.9% of my conflicts are with drunken expats whom get so wasted they fall asleep in their chair at whatever shit hole i run into them at and then get argumentative when you disagree with them on anything and then its time to leave.I dont meet these fools i just happen to cross paths with them and if i ignore them they get real pissy and call me over so i generally say hello and then quickly determine how drunk they are and move on even with them pleading for me to stay and get drunk with them but from experience with this same group it never ends well.

[smokey 22,071]

99.9% of my conflicts are with drunken expats whom get so wasted they fall asleep in their chair at whatever shit hole i run into them at and then get argumentative when you disagree with them on anything and then its time to leave.I dont meet these fools i just happen to cross paths with them and if i ignore them they get real pissy and call me over so i generally say hello and then quickly determine how drunk they are and move on even with them pleading for me to stay and get drunk with them but from experience with this same group it never ends well.

mistake one