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The Philippines has had small terrorist "strikes" going on for many years, usually, in the onesy twosey quantity.  Never in massive blow ups.  The targets have almost always been US Servicemen, or american white boys.

Just because you're with filipinas/filipinos, does NOT give you a layer of protection.  If you want to really be safe, when you're on the open street, don't fall prey to your own imagination and fantasy of paradise, and forget all your troubles.  Troubles there are RE-DEFINED.

PAY ATTENTION TO ALL THAT SURROUNDS YOU.

I don't care if you've been there 1 time, or 100 times.  It's complacency that kills.

The recent things with beheading americans, are only broadcast to the gp because they're up against 9/11...  which makes great news, however, killing americans by the tic/tac/toe (lottery) method.... is very old.  Watch out for the muslims over there.  My ex has feared them since she was a kid.... as far back as the 60's.

If you want a good example.... take a look at the repeated idiot attacks in israel for so many years.  Everybody looks the same right?  But yet, some fool always seems to blow up something right?

Watch your butt, pay attention, and have a good time.  

All three items must work together.

-- Jeff S.

But watch those you don't know... watch their eyes, their actions... passive or active.

Be safe.  (best I can do on short term).

Never forget that it's the ones you don't see... that screw up your holiday.

Jim

A Muslim guy made a comment as I approached, which I didn't understand. I just smiled as my wife tried to push me into a store. Then she proceeded back, with me close behind and got in his face, until he left in a hurry...I think it was something about the Ilaga group. ;o)) He could tell that I'm a big eater. It was a good thing that I didn't have my George Foreman Rotisserie Oven with me. ;o) I also had a drunk guy giving me the evil eye, which she pointed out. I got him to laugh and continued on my way.

Dave "Rat" H.

-- Jeff S.

Everytime Jim visit to Philippines I'm always so worried about his safety especially when he go diving.  I'm not worried of shark, I'm worried of pirates underwater. LOL.  Also Jim loves to look around and went hiking by himself, he think he was in America.  I always remind him that don't go further or might someone would kidnap you and I have no money to pay for ransom. )o-:

This fall he plan to visit in Philippines. I already start to worry about his safety because he is a white American man has a sharp nose and he can't disguise that. Muslims are everywhere now in the Philippines and you'll never know. They simply hate Americans, especially now because American government deployed US Special Forces in the Philippines to help and fight terrorism.

Oh well, just be alert wherever you go in the Philippines and beware of your surrounding.

Sally

You mean you can't kick the crap out of those terrorists with your long legs? ;o))

Some interesting info about the Abu Sayyaf. The name means "father of the swordsman" in Arabic. It was named after a mujahedin fighter in Afghanistan in the 1980s, where a number of its members fought against the Soviet-backed regime.

From Robert Young Pelton's "Dangerous Places" http://www.comebackalive.com/df/index.htm The book is outstanding and was written by a man that has been there and done it. A must read for me before I wandered into the Mindanao:

"Years of war and over $3 billion in covert U.S. aid have created three new warrior castes in Afghanistan. The older generation of Afghani mujahedin are Tajiks and Pathans who spent their young lives in nomadic columns killing Russians in the early '80s. The second group are the infamous "Afghans" the people the CIA (through the Pakistani secret service) hired and trained to fight the Russians. They are called "Afghans" because they are not Afghani. (Stay with me, this stuff is complicated). These "Afghans," estimated to be around 5,000 in total, were primarily Baluchis, Algerians, Egyptians, Saudis, Filipinos and Palestinians. Most of these men have returned to their home countries and are wreaking havoc everywhere from Zamboango, Philippines (Abu Sayeff), to Algiers, Algeria (GIA) and Manhattan, New York (World Trade Center bombing)."

Not to mention Sept. 11.

Dave H.

 Afghani? A citizen of Afghanistan is  not an Afghani-
they are Afghans. The term Afghani is not the correct term in any case, unless you work for a major American news organization and you simply are not aware.

2 cents worth...

Nathan

I personally thought that an "Afghan" was a type of hound or blanket. ;o)) Seriously, an "Afghan" is a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan according to Webster. The term "Afghani" would more accurately describe a member of the Pashtuns, which make up over half of the population and are the dominant ethnic and linguistic community. The "Afghan/Afghani" quote in my previous post was from Robert Young Pelton who wrote the book "Worlds Most Dangerous Places" and lived among them. You will have to correct him. ;o)) I am not certain as to the political correctness of the terms. I was mainly interested in the statement that the Abu Sayaaf trained and fought in Afghanistan, before returning to the Philippines to spread terror.

Dave H.

Nathan

It seems when one group signs a peace agreement, it grows another militant branch that picks up the fighting. Have you heard much about the Christian vigilante groups of the 70's and 80's? I read that old vigilante groups like Tadtad, Ilaga, Pulahan, and Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, have once again armed themselves. They formed an organization called the Alliance of Christians for Muslim-Free Mindanao. Sounds like ASG and MILF's worst nightmare.

Dave H.

There's a feature story about Ilaga in today's (1/23/02) Manila Times:

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2002/jan/23/top_stories/20020123top1.html

Ray

  Of course, the Vigilante groups are going to arm themselves again. Moslems only make up about 25% of the total population of Mindanao, so for the MILF it will be a nightmare if the Vigilante groups really grow, as in reality, the moslem groups there are greatly out-numbered.
   For men going to Mindanao...wherever your go...be street smart...always aware of what is going on around you...live smart or you may die stupid. If it heats up more on Mindanao, and as US military forces get involved there, the logic of terrorists is to attack US civilians if they cannot succeed against military forces.

Nathan

Right! Without a doubt, the vigilante groups are rearming themselves. What I was alluding to were extreme groups like Ilaga. I heard that the Ilaga Group, once lead by Norberto Manero Jr., was fond of eating (or perhaps nibbling on) its Muslim and Communist captives, as were several other groups. Now that's what I call intimidation.

I think that you're right on the money about attacks on US civilians. Perhaps the US presence alone may be enough to trigger some attacks against those perceived to be US citizens. US military personnel on R&R would also be prime targets for terrorists.

Dave H.

If the Philippine government ever gave in to the Muslim’s demand for a separate Muslim state comprised of the entire Island of Mindanao, then we will likely see a Real insurrection among the non-Muslims. I get the feeling from talking to the folks back in Mindanao that a lot of people are getting fed up with the Philippine Army’s inability to control the situation down there. A rise in vigilantism doesn’t surprise me. I suspect that the real reason Gloria asked for U.S. advisors was to keep an eye on her own generals so the ASG doesn’t bribe their way out again.

I thought it was interesting to see the same old communist signs on TV the other day at the protests against the U.S. troop arrivals in the Philippines. Looks like the same crowd shaking their “Yankee Go Home” signs that I saw in Manila 30 years ago. Can’t they think of something new after all these years? ROFL!

Also, I read that a recent poll in the Philippines had 89% of the population in favor of the U.S. sending in military advisors. I think that comes out just about right with Muslims and communists comprising about 11% of the population.

Hey, that little girl of yours is an absolute doll! Looks like she definitely inherited the Filipino gene for chocolate addiction :-)

Ray

  Thanks...yes, I am trying to see that her mental capacity grows as fast as her good looks...she is 17 months now and talking more every day.
  At some point, if the government does not get the situation in hand, the 75% of Mindanao that is not Moslem may decide that they have had enough.
  Of course, a leftist is always well...a leftist and automatically anti- American, even if it means supporting
the ASG, or the devil himself.

Nathan

My legs are skinny and not strong enough to kick out the bad guys. :o)

Thats intersting info Dave.  I should read it.  I love war stories. Also I love war movies especially the non-fiction one.  Keep on posting.  Hi to Marife.  Thanks!

Sally

Don't worry Sally. If Jimbo gets kidnapped while he’s hiking alone in the jungle, we'll take up a collection for the ransom. But after he is freed, we'll probably beat the snot out of him for not listening to you :-)

Ray

You're right, not only beating he gets from us, also I'm going to chop off some of his sharp nose. LOL

When we're in Butuan City Almont Hotel every morning he went outside to smoke a cigar while he was waiting for me for breakfast. So when I get down and looking for him outside, I saw him surrounded by men and young kids and they were laughing, so I rushed out to saved him from that crowded,I'm afraid they were making monkey business to my husband. Jim understand only few Bisayan words.  Some men asking Jim for taking taxi going to airport when were leaving, some were making business (land for sale) if he would interested, some young kids asking money from him and he gave them some.  But the following day when they saw Jim again the young kids rushed in to him and open their palm. I told Jim not to give them anymore because they would keep on coming back for more. So when they saw Jim again they won't come near to Jim anymore because I was with him. O-;)

Sally

I agree with most of what you say, however your Pinay CAN do much to help protect you in ways that Kreeger mentioned in his post below. Sure if "they" are very determined to get you, they probably will. "They" meaning thieves, kidnappers and/or terrorists. But, why make it easy for them. I see no indication that these operations are so well planned out against Westerners, that they have a specific target (person) in mind. It is more or less opportunism or if planned out...hit or miss, hoping some Westerners will be present. Cases dealing with Chinese or Japanese businessmen may be the exception. Even in South Florida we have a large number of tourists robbed and a few even kidnapped and/or murdered each year, simply because they wandered into the "wrong" areas.  

Things you and your Pinay can do: An extreme example would be her not allowing you to visit her cousin Abu Sabaya, as Jeffrey Schilling did. Another would be to stay away from wealthy tourists resorts and appear of more modest means. Leave the fancy clothes and jewelry at home or risk having it stolen, or worse having your arm cut off or being kidnapped. I dressed as a Filipino...well, a big white Filipino. ;o)) Staying in the barangay surrounded by her relatives is an excellent idea. I don't trust the one or two security guards at the entrance of the hotel with my life. I had an escape route planned...mainly in case of fire. It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy a smoke detector when there. Keep the door to the hotel room closed and locked at all times. Don't stay in the "King's stateroom" but select a more modest room. Wealthy people don't usually stay in nipa huts, which Hum has mentioned before. You may consider changing rooms or hotels several times. Don't go on long bus rides through the mountains. Don't hike into the mountains. Don't follow the same routine every day. Don't get drunk...unless in Angeles, surrounded by your friends. ;o)) Avoid visiting a penpal in areas such as Zamboanga, Jolo, or Basilian, especially if she is Muslim and you are not. She won't consider marrying you until you convert anyway. A Filipina concerned with your safety would suggest that you meet in Manila or Cebu as opposed to one of these troubled spots. Finally, you could always hire a bodyguard. Many families have a "connection" to police or military personnel, that would love to make some extra money. I graciously turned down several offers, as I didn't see the need. Perhaps if I was in Western Mindanao, I would have accepted.

These are just some suggestions. Some will consider them extreme, while others inadequate. I only did some of them. My wife knew the surroundings well and noticed many things with her Philippine Eagle eyes, that went unnoticed by mine. Perhaps nothing would have happened, but I believe she was an additional asset to my safety, as well as to the great time I had. Most of all, DON'T be paranoid, relax, and have a great time.

Dave H.

Peace...Hoda

Sometimes, people just forget.  oh well..

No need to apologize. You made some very good points. No, a lady friend isn’t going to be able to protect you from terrorists and kidnappers. But Dave made a good point also.

Having a lady companion with you will definitely help protect you from snatchers and con men and help steer you away from dangerous areas in most cases. And you’re a lot less likely to get arrested or get killed in a fight with some locals. Now think back to those days when you were running the Barrio and Gordon Ave. Did you get into more trouble when you were alone or when you were in the company of a lady friend? ;-)

Oh, that reminds me. I have been racking my brain for several months since we had one of those discussions on Filipina catfights. I have been trying to remember the name of that bar in Barrio Barreto where they had the Filipina boxing matches. If a couple of bar girls wanted to kill each other but not lose their job, they could go to the Barrio and sign up for fight night. Boxing gloves and head gear were provided and they could beat the krap out of each other in the ring while vying for a prize of P100 to the winner. Great fun…

Ray

I'm a bit of an alarmist myself. You are right! The fact remains that these terrorists are no joke. It doesn't matter how big or bad you are when you are surrounded by little guys with M-16's or bolos. Using one's brain is the best defense against them. I cringe whenever I see guys post itinerary, dates, hotel and room numbers on the Internet.

Dave H.

Ray

I just returned from Davao after a 2 - week visit and here are a few things you can do to try and lessen the risks:

- move around: I moved between hotels every other day or so... and I spent time traveling between her province and the city proper. If someone sees you entering the same hotel every day for a week, they can tip someone off 'where there is an American to kidnap'.

- if your lady offers you to stay in her family's or a cousin/relative's home, take them up on it: I did and I never felt safer. All the surrounding houses all belonged to her cousins and they all rallied around me like I was royalty. Also, neighbors nearby did the same. When I traveled, it was always in a tricycle or cab of 'someone the family knew'.

- Wear sunglasses and/or a ballcap: I am not saying that this is an effective disguise, but it is less conspicuous. Yes, we are whiter and taller and have bigger noses than anyone else around, but I got less looks when I wore them and I felt it was somewhat effective.

- Visit places where there are large crowds: this may go against what most people think, but trust me on this one. There are more security guards at malls, festivals, bus stations, banks, etc. and they are eager to protect the foreigner. Every time I went to the bus station to travel, a security guard (with an assault rifle or shotgun) would ALWAYS follow me to the bus I was traveling on and he would stand in the doorway of the bus and only let passengers on. I always thanked them for their extra protection and they nodded and smiled. It was great.

- People will look at you and you will be seen, but don't make your presence obvious: simple.... don't stand out. learn the customs, the dress, the bad neighborhoods, etc.

This is just an observation, but it worked for me and I even avoided being a victim when another forigner was kidnapped from the same hotel that I stayed at 3 days before. I even waved at the guy. Dunno if he is still missing or not. I haven't heard anything.