Travel Crime In The Philippines

how to protect yourself.

Unfortunately, there is travel crime in the Philippines. We all should know there are dangerous places where we live at home and abroad. The Philippines is no exception to crimes and social problems.

The Philippines, especially in Manila’s capital city, has a moderately high violent crime rate and travel crime in the Philippines. Violent robbery and attack events happen regularly, and tourists are also targets. Area crime groups are the main perpetrators of these acts, and it is not unheard of for individual thugs to strike on their own.

How much danger is travel crime in the Philippines? 

Before you go to the Philippines, here’s a list of crimes and what you need to know and prepare for.

• Gun violence in the Philippines.
• Random acts of aggression.
• Terrorism In the Philippines.
• Abductions In the Philippines.
• Crime correlated with alcohol.
• Spiking drinks.
• Don’t support crime by donation.
• Tips on Personal Safety.

GUN VIOLENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The high number of Filipinos who own weapons adds fuel to the crime fire.  The Philippines has South East Asia’s second-highest gun ownership and is not controlled very well.

Firearms are commonly used in the Philippines when committing crimes. At night, avoid unpopulated areas and try traveling in groups.

RANDOM ACTS OF AGGRESSION

There have been over 7,000 killings by judicial policy by police and vigilantes in reaction to the President’s war on drugs since President Duterte was elected. This heavy government stance has split the country and has seen innocent citizens caught up in the crossfire, including tourists. A South Korean businessman was abducted and killed at the National Police Headquarters in Quezon City in October 2016 by rogue police officers. His wife was threatened with a ransom as well. Three South Korean golfers were theft and bribery victims by rogue police officers in Angeles City in a separate assault in January 2017.

Many tourists have been the victims of armed attackers snatching bags on foot or n motorbikes. A New Zealand adult male living in the Philippines was shot dead in July 2017 when he visited a Bilirian Island market while being robbed of his wallet. A British man has also been mugged and shot dead outside a bar in Cebu for US$13.

If you find yourself getting robbed, do not resist or try to fight back, it is not worth it to risk your life.

TERRORISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

In recent years, there have been several terror-related incidents in the Philippines, and while they don’t usually threaten travelers, it is always possible at the wrong time to be in the wrong place. However, deliberate attacks against international interests have occurred, such as an improvised explosive device discovered at the US Embassy in 2016.

Because of their increased risk of terrorist activities, there are many parts of the Philippines that you should avoid, and it is wise to keep over any potential alerts through your government travel safety advisory.

ABDUCTIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

There is a risk of abduction is a travel crime in the Philippines, particularly in the southern Philippines. This form of crime is possible due to the Filipino people’s extensive poverty, desperate attempts to get ransom money, and tourists seem to be the target.

Gangs will also get a member to pose as a friendly local who invites you to join them for family meals. Then they invite you to an out-of-town trip once they have built faith and a friendship. They could drug you (usually through a drink) once you are away from the city, they rob you or rape you, and possibly kill you.

Travel crime in the Philippines related with alcohol.

Alcohol use is also the cause of street wars and violent crime. Usually, the national liquor, a coconut concoction called tuba, is combined with Coca-Cola and eaten in large amounts. It is a potent drink, so avoid doing so in public taverns. If you intend to try this drink, do so with family or TRUSTED friends. Additionally, there are sometimes guns, knives, and machetes involved in bar brawls.  Get out immediately if you see one starting.  Do not watch the fight because bystanders get hurt during fights.

SPIKING DRINKS

Drink spiking is a phenomenon referred to by locals as the “Ativan Scam,” named after the crime drug. Sometimes, when you are asleep, victims are robbed or attacked. No matter how nice they seem, if anyone you don’t know offers you a drink that you haven’t seen made or ordered, don’t take it! Being safe is better than being sorry.

Although petty crime is usually non-violent, it can quickly become dangerous when it happens at night or in rougher places. For example, a simple pickpocketing crime may escalate into an attack or worse.  Again, always keep your “Situational awareness first in your mind.” 

Don’t support travel crime in the Philippines by donations.

The many areas in the Philippines that are “always poor.”  It is common to see children begging on the streets.  Though it may be tempting to give them loose change or cash, doing so might lead to a crime. Most of the time, an adult who is not even their parent, but a trafficker or drug dealer, exploits the kids begging on the street – and keeps all of the money you give them. Think of the movie “Slumdog millionaire, to understand how exploiting children supports drug lords and other criminals.  Drug addicted parents or family members also send children to the streets to support their habit with your donations. 

To help prevent travel crime in the Philippines, find out what organizations are working in the country to help raise communities out of poverty and inspire children to attend school instead of giving money to children; donate your money to these organizations, time, or both.

Tips on personal travel crime in the Philippines and safety.

Leave the pricey jewelry at home. Although wearing a good watch or gold chain can be cool, it is a beacon for pickpockets and snatch-and-grab thieves.

Don’t put valuables in a backpack like wallets, tablets; it makes for quick pickings. Wear your bag on your forehead while traveling on public transport or in crowded areas

Protect yourself from travel crime in the Philippines by keeping an eye on your things at all times, and do not leave them unattended. Some shopping malls ask you to leave your bags at the concierge or bag counters in the cities. If you let employees know that you have valuables in your pockets, they will encourage you to take them with you when shopping.

In dimly lit places or highways, don’t walk alone. Be aware of who is around you and what is around you.

Do not visit Manila’s trouble areas such as; Ermita and Malate, Navotas, Tondo, and Baclaran because they are hot spots for travel crime in the Philippines.

WHEN DOES PHILIPPINES ADVENTURE BECOME TOO RISKY

In February 2012, Abu Sayyaf, officially recognized by ISIL as the Islamic State operating in the East Asia Province, abducted three foreign nationals on an adventure trip in the far extreme south-East part of the country. This terrorist group’s kidnappings did not end well. 

Ransom is one of the methods used in this part of the predominantly Christian country by Abu Sayyaf to finance their long-running fight for an independent Muslim state. They don’t care how long they have to keep their hostages before they get paid. Before Christmas 2011, Australian man Warren Rodwell, who was not a tourist but lived in the area with his Filipina partner, was taken. In June 2013, he was eventually released.

According to local authorities, the men abducted in February were traveling between remote islands in the Tawi-Tawi group to capture photographs of rare birds. They had been seen in a passing motorboat by gang members. They stopped them, and at gunpoint, they took them, prisoner. An unfortunate experience, or a measured chance that has gone bad?

It is a well-known danger to foreigners in this area. In any circumstances, most governments tell their people not to go there.

AVOIDING DANGER AND UNACCEPTABLE RISK IN PHILIPPINES

Going to less-traveled areas might seem like a big adventure, but don’t let your travel adventure blind you to the real risks. For this reason, those travel alerts for travel crime in the Philippines are in effect. Plus, if the provincial governor asks you to take an armed escort, listen to him. Local information is always the best.

But in the end, it is up to each person to make their own call at the risk level they are prepared to accept. Intentionally, these photographers put themselves in harm’s way, went to a region where abduction is a real possibility, where they knew it’s doubtful they’ll be able to get some emergency assistance. Will you be shocked to hear that there’s no way a standard travel insurance policy will cover ransom demands or kidnappings.  Also, your home governments or embassy are helpless too.  

There are some fantastic sights in the Sulu Islands. Suppose it is a pristine beach or a rare Sulu Hornbill bird surrounded by bright blue waters. Still, you’ve got to ask yourself: is the risk worth it.

In summary, your safety is always up to you.

I advise you to become familiar with the phrase “situational awareness.”  You need always to be aware of where you are and who are the people around you.  Look for people watching you and who they could be signaling or communicating with. It is not uncommon for gangs to use several people to capture their prey. 

Be proactive and stop travel crime in the Philippines and be aware of where your backpack or purse is at all times. You can be sitting in a jeepney, and the person sitting next to you will use a razor to gently and quietly open your bag by cutting it and then take out all your valuables. By the time you notice your bag is cut, the Jeepney will be a hundred meters away. Then it is virtually impossible to capture the person who did this.  

Criminals use travel crime in the Philippines for their personal and family survival and have very well laid-out plans to steal from you. Anything from gambling on the street or selling you a fake gold or silver necklace, they consider it a means to an end. 

Street criminals practice and practice their game until they’re perfect and hardly caught by the novice traveler.  I also recommend taking his few bags as you can. The more bags you travel with, the more apt you’re going to be distracted, and someone will just gently and quickly grab one of your bags and walk away. As you turn one direction to try to catch the person stealing your bag, another gang member steals the other luggage bag, and so forth. Eventually, most of your bags will be gone until you have the two luggage bags that you can hold and manage in your hands. That is why I recommend only taking two bags and always have your hands on them or a rope connecting them so they cannot be taken away. 

Be extremely cautious of “Hired drivers” and other people handling your luggage. You almost have to watch them piece by piece as they put things in the back of your trunk. We were loading up the taxi up with many luggage bags.  When we got our final destination an hour and a half away, we noticed that one of our bags was missing. It was from the place where we loaded into the taxi. Yes, The taxi driver had to know that we lost one of our bags, but he was the friendliest person as we went on our trip and as soon as we noticed that something was missing he drove off instantly. 

Be aware almost everybody is poor, and they are willing to take risks of getting caught stealing your luggage on the slim chance they will get caught.  The conundrum is that the police don’t investigate or prosecute these petty thefts because they know that people are hungry. The mindset is that travelers are wealthy and will often be able to replace the items in their bags easily. 

I hope you enjoyed this article.  Please leave your comments and experiences below.

Tags:   Philippine kidnappings, airport crimes Philippines, travel crime Philippines, crime in the Philippines,