[manabouttown]

hello again

I am just after a few opinions since I am not sure if I am making the right decision.

The lady who I have met is going back to her home city in just over a week as her job contract is ending,she invite me to take the trip with her to  Zamboanger city,not sure of spelling. When I used to read a few yahoo groups there were some topics of places that were not safe for a tourist and i think Zamboanger was one of them. Has any one been to this place or should i stay in Cebu for my own safety?

[tropicalpenpals]

Havent been there myself but have heard a few negative things about the area. Not sure if anyone on the forum has been or is in that area?

[Mr. Lee]

manabouttown, on 28 December 2009 - 11:12 PM, said:

hello again

I am just after a few opinions since I am not sure if I am making the right decision.

The lady who I have met is going back to her home city in just over a week as her job contract is ending,she invite me to take the trip with her to  Zamboanger city,not sure of spelling. When I used to read a few yahoo groups there were some topics of places that were not safe for a tourist and i think Zamboanger was one of them. Has any one been to this place or should i stay in Cebu for my own safety?

I have known of white foreigners who have traveled to that area of Mindanao in the past and many have said it was safe and we have family there and they say that there are white people living there but mostly missionaries and some husbands of locals but the area is said to not be safe because it is closer to where many of the Muslim terrorist come from. Zamboanga is a very large area and I guess it might also depend on what part your lady is from. I personally have never been there and probably never will but have traveled to many other places within Mindanao against travel warning yet it does seem that Mindanao is heating up with problems over the last 15 plus years rather than getting better. Priest, teachers and others have been kidnapped in the Zamboanga area recently. I would say to stay out of it but each person has to make the decision on their own as to what risks might be worth it to meet their ladies families which is an important issue in the Philippines to families. Good luck with whatever you decide but maybe it might be worth waiting until you know the lady is who you seek as a lifetime partner before making the trip over there or possibly invite her family to meet you in a safer place such as Cagayan de Oro which is on top of Mindanao and put them up in a pension house and get to know them on safer grounds if that is possible. Be safe and enjoy the Philippines.

[Boss Man]

I don't think there is much to worry about in Zamboanga City its self,its only in some areas of Mindanao that are a problem.
My wife sometimes lives with her sister and family in the city and its been about 5 months since I heard of a bomb going off. The boats that she uses to go to her parents were held up by pirates a few months back and only one or was it two people were killed in the gun fire.

Overall there are safe places and there are places never to go like Jolo Island but as I said before the city of Zamboanga should be safe.

[Mik]

Marathon Man (1976)
Christian Szell: Is it safe?... Is it safe?
Babe: You're talking to me?
Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Babe: Is what safe?
Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Babe: I don't know what you mean. I can't tell you something's safe or not, unless I know specifically what you're talking about.
Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Babe: Tell me what the "it" refers to.
Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Babe: Yes, it's safe, it's very safe, it's so safe you wouldn't believe it.
Christian Szell: Is it safe?
Babe: No. It's not safe, it's... very dangerous, be careful.

.

[Genius]

How is Butuan City viewed for safety ?

and also how is Agusan del Sur, seen ?

and Bayugan which is in A del S.


Its the top of mindanao so I assume it is ok. What do you all say ?


Thanks

[Mr. Lee]

Genius, on 30 December 2009 - 08:09 PM, said:

How is Butuan City viewed for safety ?

and also how is Agusan del Sur, seen ?

and Bayugan which is in A del S.


Its the top of mindanao so I assume it is ok. What do you all say ?


Thanks

All seem to be safe and far away from the problem areas of Mindanao. Agusan had a hostage situation of a whole village a few weeks ago but no one was killed and it was basically a turf war that was settled without violence, no place is perfect.

[TheMason]

Mr. Lee, on 30 December 2009 - 08:17 PM, said:

Genius, on 30 December 2009 - 08:09 PM, said:

How is Butuan City viewed for safety ?

and also how is Agusan del Sur, seen ?

and Bayugan which is in A del S.


Its the top of mindanao so I assume it is ok. What do you all say ?


Thanks

All seem to be safe and far away from the problem areas of Mindanao. Agusan had a hostage situation of a whole village a few weeks ago but no one was killed and it was basically a turf war that was settled without violence, no place is perfect.

A whole village is taken hostage, but since nobody gets killed, the conclusion is 'no place is perfect.' That is certainly true, but some places are a whole lot less perfect than others. Given that entire villages are taken hostage in turf wars, I'd stay away from there.

[Traveler]

safe is a relative term, I am sure all those people who went to work at the world trade center thought they would be safe. the Muslim region of Mindanao would not be smart to go to if you are not a Filipino Muslim but I think other parts of Mindanao would be safer than some places in the US that I have had to work in,

[Eric]

I have been to central Mindanao twice. Once in 2005 to get married and in 2009 for a visit. The town we were in has a large Muslim population. There were some places the relatives simply did not want me to go.

Safety is like any place else in the world. Know the surroundings and educate yourself. Trust the family has your best interests and will look out for you. If you see a place you want to visit and they recommend against it then they know something you do not.

My last night in the province several of us went to a Karaoke establishment. We were there for an hour when a group of four young men came in. My father in law and everyone else said it was time to go. Later they told me the men were members of the NPA.

[manabouttown]

hello all

thanks everyone for your good information.

I decided not to take the trip but not just because of safety. When I though about it I realized that I did not know this girl well enough to be traveling to a place unknown to me.Maybe some other time

[Traveler]

manabouttown, on 09 January 2010 - 09:08 PM, said:

hello all

thanks everyone for your good information.

I decided not to take the trip but not just because of safety. When I though about it I realized that I did not know this girl well enough to be traveling to a place unknown to me.Maybe some other time

probably a good idea until you at least get to know her & her motives & maybe wait until after the elections are over too

[Gold Heart]

manabouttown, on 09 January 2010 - 09:08 PM, said:

hello all

thanks everyone for your good information.

I decided not to take the trip but not just because of safety. When I though about it I realized that I did not know this girl well enough to be traveling to a place unknown to me.Maybe some other time

As an option, offer to pay the fare for her and a companion to come visit you. The mode of transport and accomodations they would use would be less than the more upscale you would probably take and use to visit her --- and you would get to meet in person.

[Fil/AmArt]

If anyone has any concerns if it is safe to visit or reside in the Philippines, here are just a few of my suggestions:

1. Never travel alone in areas you are not familiar with, use a professional guide or friends that are in the know and dress appropriately depending on weather conditions and or social venues.
2. Get the most current travel "Advisory Warnings" from the U.S. Embassy or U.S. State Department website I listed below.
3. Minimize divulging your personal background history, where you reside and or immigration status on any open public blogs or forums unless you choose to do so. That's why most forums (except for Blogs, Facebook etc) uses avatars and user names to protect your identity. This is for in order to eliminate any possibilities of any known con artists, kidnappers or terrorists in obtaining your social, financial status and or your where a bouts. Just never know, criminals are now into cyberspace! A prime example, my wife's friend from California is now in Hong Kong on vacation to this minutes and hour and we know exactly in what hotel they are in Disney World! I got this on Facebook! You see what I mean about people's privacy? There is none! Kind of scary eh!
4. Always have easy access to immediate cash in case of an emergency of any kind.

Well, these are just a few of my suggestions, other readers can add to this list if they wish to do so!

Just have a good and wonderful stay or vacation in the Philippines!

U.S. Embassy Manila website: http://manila.usemba...v/wwwha008.html

U.S. Embassy Manila pdf info: http://manila.usemba...ov/wwwfb007.pdf

U.S. State Department
Travel Registration website: https://travelregist...te.gov/ibrs/ui/

This post has been edited by MrBBtheFilAm: 28 June 2010 - 07:36 AM

[DAVIDSURN]

Mr. Lee, on 29 December 2009 - 09:08 AM, said:

manabouttown, on 28 December 2009 - 11:12 PM, said:

hello again

I am just after a few opinions since I am not sure if I am making the right decision.

The lady who I have met is going back to her home city in just over a week as her job contract is ending,she invite me to take the trip with her to �Zamboanger city,not sure of spelling. When I used to read a few yahoo groups there were some topics of places that were not safe for a tourist and i think Zamboanger was one of them. Has any one been to this place or should i stay in Cebu for my own safety?

I have known of white foreigners who have traveled to that area of Mindanao in the past and many have said it was safe and we have family there and they say that there are white people living there but mostly missionaries and some husbands of locals but the area is said to not be safe because it is closer to where many of the Muslim terrorist come from. Zamboanga is a very large area and I guess it might also depend on what part your lady is from. I personally have never been there and probably never will but have traveled to many other places within Mindanao against travel warning yet it does seem that Mindanao is heating up with problems over the last 15 plus years rather than getting better. Priest, teachers and others have been kidnapped in the Zamboanga area recently. I would say to stay out of it but each person has to make the decision on their own as to what risks might be worth it to meet their ladies families which is an important issue in the Philippines to families. Good luck with whatever you decide but maybe it might be worth waiting until you know the lady is who you seek as a lifetime partner before making the trip over there or possibly invite her family to meet you in a safer place such as Cagayan de Oro which is on top of Mindanao and put them up in a pension house and get to know them on safer grounds if that is possible. Be safe and enjoy the Philippines.

I am an American planning on moving to Davao City which I understand to be very safe, as safe as anywhere for anyone with a pointy nose and pale skin in the RP (Am I right?) However I have read some dangerous occurances in the region you mention. I for one would avoid it. Then again, "I only know what I read in the newspapers."