The Philippines has recently been attracting attention as an Asian destination with places like Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, and Bohol. Safety is naturally a concern. We often hear news reports about kidnappings and terrorism, giving the impression of poor security. So, this time, we will provide information about safety in the Philippines and to make your trip to the Philippines a worthwhile memory.
1. Beware of street children
Pickpocketing is very common in the Philippines, where public safety is unstable. When we think of pickpockets, we generally imagine them being picked on without us realizing it in a crowd, but the people we need to be most careful of are street children.
While you are letting your guard down and thinking, "It's okay because they're children," they can steal your smartphone or wallet. If they run away through the many complex alleys, it is impossible to chase them. There is a risk that you will go into a dangerous back alley while trying to get it back by force, so please be careful.
2. Don't accept invitations from strangers
Pickpocketing is the most common crime in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, but the second most common crime in the Philippines is card fraud and scammers. The method is to talk to someone saying "I want to make a friend."
After that, you are invited to their home. They usually invite you to gamble using cards and are ordered to pay a large sum of money. This is such a common method that you would normally be able to deal with it calmly, but when it comes to someone's home, many people are unable to resist and end up just putting up with it. Be careful if a stranger talks to you.
3. Don't let your guard down just because it's Manila (the capital)
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is an area where many people live in the country. There is an influx of tourists visiting throughout the year. The capital has an image of good security, but you should never let your guard down in Manila.
Of course, the Philippines is a popular travel destination for people, so security is in place at tourist spots with many tourists, but if you stray from the main road, there are many places that even locals avoid. Please refrain from reckless actions such as setting foot in unsafe areas.
4. Don’t use roadside ATMs
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is an area where many people live in the country. There is an influx of tourists visiting throughout the year. The capital has an image of good security, but you should never let your guard down in Manila.
Of course, the Philippines is a popular travel destination for people, so security is in place at tourist spots with many tourists, but if you stray from the main road, there are many places that even locals avoid. Please refrain from reckless actions such as setting foot in unsafe areas.
5. Stay away from Mindanao
Zamboanga, located on Mindanao Island, the second largest island in the Philippines, is the headquarters of the Islamic extremist terrorist organization, Abu Sayyaf. Since crimes and terrorism are frequent in this area, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued security warnings at level 3.
The conflict with Islamic extremists has not yet been fully resolved, and terrorism and kidnappings are frequent in this area, so security is particularly unstable even in the Philippines. Even when visiting the mainland, be aware that there is always a possibility of an incident.
6. The popular Cebu Island is also in the Philippines
When you hear the word Philippines, many people will think of Cebu Island, one of the leading resort areas in Asia. There are many tourists from all over the world, and the security situation is not that bad. However, Cebu Island is also a city in the Philippines. There is no doubt that the security situation is better than other areas, but pickpockets and robberies are constant throughout the year.
If you put your smartphone on the table, you will be subject to pickpocketing, and if you walk around reading a guidebook, it will be obvious that you are not used to it, and you will be more likely to become a target of crime. It is natural to be open-minded to the blue sky and beautiful sea, but please remember that there is a possibility of being a victim of pickpockets and robberies in Cebu as well.
◎ Summary
Since we talked about security in the Philippines. While the content tends to have a scary image, the Philippines is a popular destination in Asia. It is a wonderful country where you will be greeted by beautiful seas, many activities, and cheerful smiling people. If each person is conscious and acts responsibly, it is sure to be a wonderful trip!