Iligan City, Philipines 1st time. Safe to go?

[Latindancer]

Some guys are pretty naive when they first arrive.

[Davis Knowlton]

Some guys are pretty naive when they first arrive.

True. No shortage of fools. That said, the letter reads like a Penthouse Forum tale. If the cops rob you like that, stop one is American Embassy American Citizen Services. They will get in touch with the cops. Senior Filipino police officers don't want a dust-up with the Embassy, and will gladly throw a few cops under the bus to avoid it, as well as picking up the girl and charging her with extortion. This is not fantasy - I've seen it play out like that on any number of occasions.

But, if the tourist is a retard, oh well...............

[Happy As Larry]

I've met a girl online and plan to go visit her in a couple of weeks time.

If you are for real then i would strongly advise that you do not go to visit her in her village. I think that would be a big mistake.

Why not pay for her to come up to Manila to meet you on your arrival. Get to see what she is like in the flesh ( and I don't mean her beauty). If you still think that you are compatible after a couple of days then perhaps you could head off for a few days to some resort or other. It could end up being a great vacation and you might have ended up meeting the love of your life.

If she is the bitch from hell you can lose her in manila and move your base to some other hotel while deciding on your next move - return home or enjoy your time in the Philippines

Whatever happens I would leave meeting the family til a future trip or perhaps even never if you are uninterested in the prospect of marrying her at some point

[Latindancer]

This is not fantasy - I've seen it play out like that on any number of occasions.

.

AHA !
So you admit.....it does happen.

[Davis Knowlton]

This is not fantasy - I've seen it play out like that on any number of occasions.

.

AHA !
So you admit.....it does happen.

I've seen a million variations on the theme. Most have involved hookers, although some have involved freelancers. Most common is for a tourist, often Japanese, to take a dancer out of a bar and back to his hotel. Bit later, cops break in and the girl produces 'proof' that she is underage. Cops then shake tourist down for everything he's got, while regaling him with tales of life sentences for child rape. Jap flees country. End of story. Million tales in the Big Mango.

[geoff]

I can not believe that anyone can venture into these area without any knowledge of the place. Are you sure you should be out in this big world on your own.???

[beerlaodrinker]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Latindancer
Some guys are pretty naive when they first arrive.
True. No shortage of fools

Stupidity doesnt go un punished in the philippines, The locals arent quite as ignorant as some people will have you believe, quite savvy actualy, anyone turning up looking for a wife needs to learn the rules,

[rickschoppers]

I would listen to all of DK's advice since he has lived there for quite some time.

Are you actually sure she was the one writing all the emails to you and not someone else? Just a thought.

[jamiejambos]

^Yep. Pretty strange. And she is a nice lady, with a good job, but like so many, looking for a better life outside of here. This guy was a real strange fucker though - a doctor, ton of money, but really weird.

Yes ,davis people can be really weird,Hmm

[Davis Knowlton]

^Yep. Pretty strange. And she is a nice lady, with a good job, but like so many, looking for a better life outside of here. This guy was a real strange fucker though - a doctor, ton of money, but really weird.

Yes ,davis people can be really weird,Hmm

Not quite sure what your point is, but yes, people can be really weird. Two of the Filipino doctors were convinced that he was not really a doctor, and of about fifteen people who met him during his brief stay here in our city, the unanimous consensus was that there was something 'off' about the guy.

[Iceman123]

Everyone is trying to give the OP great advice - however the ungrateful wretch has pissed off for almost a week after his inaugural post.

[Davis Knowlton]

Troll - look under the bridge.

[Yasojack]

There's many stories of this happening around the world, though we only ever hear of the scams etc never the positive ending stories.

The world has changed guys, sure many of you have met friends on here that turned out ass holes, and then you have most probably met good friends here.

Any meeting of any sort should always be in a safe place whether its male or female.

there's always ways to find things out about people and the net is the place to do it, checking IP addresses, email searches etc.

[harrybarracuda]

This is not fantasy - I've seen it play out like that on any number of occasions.

.

AHA !
So you admit.....it does happen.

I've seen a million variations on the theme. Most have involved hookers, although some have involved freelancers. Most common is for a tourist, often Japanese, to take a dancer out of a bar and back to his hotel. Bit later, cops break in and the girl produces 'proof' that she is underage. Cops then shake tourist down for everything he's got, while regaling him with tales of life sentences for child rape. Jap flees country. End of story. Million tales in the Big Mango.

That's very common in Angeles but it normally involves freelancers.

[Davis Knowlton]

This is not fantasy - I've seen it play out like that on any number of occasions.

.

AHA !
So you admit.....it does happen.

I've seen a million variations on the theme. Most have involved hookers, although some have involved freelancers. Most common is for a tourist, often Japanese, to take a dancer out of a bar and back to his hotel. Bit later, cops break in and the girl produces 'proof' that she is underage. Cops then shake tourist down for everything he's got, while regaling him with tales of life sentences for child rape. Jap flees country. End of story. Million tales in the Big Mango.

That's very common in Angeles but it normally involves freelancers.

Upon reflection, you are mostly correct, although I have heard of it in some of the lower-end bars. And yes, more often than not in AC, although also in Pasay.

[Ronin]

I think this question/post is a wind upSurely no one is that fookin stupid

Don't you believe it!

[wasabi]

At least he had the good sense to ask for advice here first.

[funkybunch]

Thank you to everyone who has made constructive comments and advice.
A bit more information about me, I have experience of SE Asia, mainly Thailand and have lived out there for about 2 years.
I have never been to PI and all I know about it is what I have read online and what you guys have told me.
I'm not an empty head and I know that there are many scams etc.. that can be targeted and westerners, particularly when guys think with their little heads out there!

So the girl I have met online, we have spoke a number of time online and used webcams. She is a student nurse, and I have her on Facebook as a friend and have seen many photos of her at University/Hospital with other students.
She seems to be from a quite conservative family (her mother) and seems to think her mother may want her to meet me with a (female friend) of hers at first.

I think the idea of getting her to meet me in Manila is a good idea and I will try that.
That way if she is not what she seems I can lose her there. If all goes well we will probably move onto Cebu or Palawan.

I would also point out that I was already going out to SE Asia for some time regardless of if I meet this lady or not. She has not hinted at money problems or that I pay anything and she can speak English.

[Ronin]

Hi all ,

Planning to make my first trip to the Philipines to the Iligan city area in the southern Philipines.

I've met a girl online and plan to go visit her in a couple of weeks time.

You don't say how long you have known her or make any mention of what transpired between you.

However I've done a little research online and it looks like this area might be quite dangerous!

So can many other places if not all other places in the world. Although I grant you there are concerns about Mindanao due to insurgents. My best advice would be to read the 'Lonely Planet' guide. I am not certain about the current version but I read (some years ago I might add), was Mindanao (if that's where your headed, I haven't looked up where the town you mention is), is quite safe so long as you avoid certain areas and certain situations (e.g. don't get into a bus full of soldiers, it liable to be shot at but for some reason soldiers rarely take the air-con bus). The British government advises it citizens from venturing anywhere in Mindanao but personally I feel they are being a little over the top (they even advise not traveling by Cebu Air! Please not this information could have changed).

My girl lives just outside Iligan City with her mum and she has found a place for me to stay, its like a gated apartment complex with rooms starting from 1600 Pesos. How about getting around public transport wise, they have jeepneys?

No idea but it might be an idea to consider what I said above - probably still the same.

If all goes well I plan to go with my girl to a big resort Bocoray or somewhere like that. Thinking of spending maybe 10 days in Philipines in total.

You are a little optimistic aren't you? Most families will not approve of you going with your girl for religious and maybe other reasons - if you are looking for sex find a bar girl.

Has anyone been to this area ? Its my first time to visit so I'm reconsidering my visit now. So would I be crazy to go there ? I read something about iligan City being 90% muslim. Any general advice please guys would be great.

As somebody has said don't castigate Muslims, in many countries they would treat you like a king.

[Ronin]

To the OP, all in all you need to take your time and read up on the culture and dangers and annoyances. I have been to The Philippines some 3 times to see a girl who was, for a while an Internet friend. I had no problems as we had been communicating for some months and it was clear she was not looking for a 'knight in shining armour' or a ticket to leave the country even though over guys she was communicating with were offering just that. Our initial meeting was in public place - namely a hotel lobby where safety is not a great concern. She was with her cousin and we shared a taxi and visited other public places in Manila and her workplace also her home when away from her provincial home town (her employer was there so still safe).

However, she did point out that part of their culture is the man always pays when out with a lady friend. Although I really didn't mind when I was there as things are quite cheap (don't know about now I must confess) For example a day out with four girls and a taxi didn't cost that much (about £25 for the taxi and a good meal for 5 of us was much the same price).

The key is not to race into things; instant relationships rarely result in happiness, take your time and the clues will be there about somebody's intentions. As somebody has said: marry a Filipina and you marry the whole family.

Some other suggested reading: Culture Shock The Philippines - as a starter.

[BobR]

I think this question/post is a wind upSurely no one is that fookin stupid

Oh, they're out there. Friend of the wife's, a government employee in her 30's, recently met some Yank on line and he flew out to the Philippines to meet her. I actually met the guy, and advised her to dump him immediately, which she did. A real weirdo.

Sometimes it's much easier to spot a wacko when he's someone from our own culture. After 3 disasters, my Thai School finally asked me to sit in on the last interviews of teaching candidates, and it was very easy to see gaping holes in their comments my bosses (who are both intelligent Thais) could not see.

America also deserves a lot of credit for putting the names of convicted sex criminals online for anyone to see instead of clinging to the ridiculous notion they have any right to privacy concerning their convictions.

[Yasojack]

Funkybunch go and enjoy whats the worst thing that could happen?

[Cujo]

Funkybunch go and enjoy whats the worst thing that could happen?

He could be kidnapped by Islamic radicals and beheaded by rusty knife in front of the cameras and the video posted online?

[Yasojack]

sure he could but whats the chances.?

if we listened to everything everyone said we would all do nothing, when i used to travel in my younger days, i went to all the places i got told not to go to and i am still here.

Someone mentioned to him to go Manila, well according to this guy its not safe.


The Eight Most Dangerous Places in Metro Manila
“Is it safe?” I bet you can recall the immortal line from that classic movie starring Dustin Hoffman in the paranoid thriller— Marathon Man.

Well, it’s the very question every resident of Metro Manila asks himself whenever he goes out of the confines of his home for a walk, a jog, a run or a jog that turned into a run due to three mysterious men with bloodshot eyes following you in the wee hours of the morning with their arms tucked beneath their shirts like each was a sweater of sorts... Their flip-flops---"flip-flopping"---erstwhile sounding off the alarm bells in your mind. (And they’re not even wearing shoes, for crying out loud! How can you think they were just jogging, too?) Na-ah...

Yep, that’s how it is in Metro Manila, the proverbial land flowing with milk and honey of the country we all call home and have loved since birth. As we all know (or not, well, many of us don’t) Metro Manila is made up of sixteen varied cities which include the cities of Manila, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Quezon, Pasig, Paranaque, Caloocan, Makati, Taguig, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Pateros, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela and the Municipality of San Juan. Yep, San Juan is still a municipality, much like Novaliches (half of which belongs to QC and the remaining half to Caloocan ) but that’s another story.

With all of these cities come a huge number of residents all vying for a place under the freakin’ tropical-hot Manila sun, so it’s no wonder that chaos and bedlam lie in the midst of its cities’ underbellies.

And let’s not forget the statistics! We all love statistics, don’t we? According to estimates, 97% of the total GDP in our beloved country is being managed by a mere 15% of the total Pinoy population! (Yep, you got that right! 1 and 5... 15! Fifteen... f-i-f-t-e-e-n! It’s 15% okay?!) And guess where most of them live... In Metro Manila, of course!

So, I suppose if you don’t belong to that 15% and you live in Metro Manila, where do you think you belong? Yep, that’s what I also thought. Well, anyways, on with the show!

Now that we’ve established a huge gap in terms of income generation between the residents of the metro, let’s now turn to what we’ve all been waiting for and what our title has been suggesting all along since you started reading this material. For your reading pleasure, here are The Eight Most Dangerous Places in Metro Manila! (Pretend it was Ryan Seacrest’s voice you heard. Seriously…)

8 Mother Ignacia St. (near Timog Ave. ) tied with Project 6, Q.C.
Number eight on our list are these two areas both in Quezon City which are notorious for thefts and break-ins. Robberies and hold-ups occur on a monthly basis in Mother Ignacia St. (remember to not leave anything valuable in your car most especially if it’s not tinted), while break-ins by the dishonourable Akyat-bahay Gang dominate the nightscape of Project 6.

7 EDSA Underpass (Beneath Shaw Blvd.) tied with C5-Bicutan-Pateros Intersection
Close at number 7 are two main thoroughfares regularly featured in the news. The EDSA Underpass-Shaw Blvd. regularly dishes out motor-vehicle-related “accidents” due to drivers suddenly swerving in order to avoid road ruts and potholes while the C5-Bicutan-Pateros Intersection is regrettably known for being the place where people get run down on a regular basis. A word of advice to the pedestrians in that area: PLEASE USE THE OVER-PASS.

6 MRT3 and LRT1
If you go to work somewhere in Ortigas, Makati or those places in between these business districts, then you know WTF I’m talking about. Yep, it’s the unusually usual “grind” whenever you take LRT1 and the one, the only, MRT3! How it should be the usual way of going to work is beyond comprehension! “It’s just deplorable and utterly horrible!” as one friend of mine put it. Going to and from work in that manner can leave you feeling like a piece of pork in a can of beans. So not alone and yet so isolated from the rest of the bunch. Better watch out though, you’re friendly neighborhood pickpocket is waiting in the wings, ready to pounce on you like vultures hungry for rancid meat… or beans.

You don’t need statistics with this one. Take it from yours truly… I take both these trains to and from work, unfortunately.

5 Commonwealth Avenue
If you’re a resident of Fairview , Lagro or the faaaaaaar-side of Novaliches (Yep, it’s that far!) then you’re familiar with the goings on along the winding stretch of Commonwealth Avenue. It’s manageable enough during daytime. What, those freakin’ bus drivers with their uncourteous attitude and reckless style of driving bother you? Don’t mind their swervings and sudden stops and starts, they’re just trying to make a living. You have to get on the program and realize that they just can’t help it... They’re high on gas fumes! What the heck do they care about you and me? For you to think they even care, well, deserves applause... and much thought.

And then it gets dark. Hello! The party’s just started! Watch out for pedestrians playing patintero with your auto once you get past the COA office all the way to the Commonwealth Market and LITEX area. It begs repeating: DEAR PEDESTRIANS: PLEASE USE THE OVER-PASS.

In its bid to stop the mayhem along the metro’s “killer highway”, your former President Macapagal-Arroyo and former MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes led the ribbon cutting and opening of four foot bridges along the widest highway in the country just last April. Get this, it cost us taxpayers almost P63 M! For four footbridges? What in tarnation! Those freakin’ footbridges better be worth every peso!

4 EDSA-Cubao-Aurora Blvd Intersection
This area is what you would call the “pickpockets galore central” of Metro Manila. Anything worth snatching---from wallets to bags to jewellery to watches to shoes to even slippers---and most of what’s worth grabbing will be snatched and grabbed from you. I don’t have to say anything more. Still...

Just grab a copy of your favorite newspaper (better yet, a popular tabloid) and you’re sure to find a story or two about Cubao, albeit not a positive one. Besides, what more proof do you need? I’m betting an arm and a leg that you or a friend has already experienced Cubao in all its rawness and severity. Hey, where’s my wallet? Nooo!

3 Agham Road in Quezon City
This area is filled with pickpockets known to swoop down on the hapless students of the very prominent science school found along this road. If you’re one of those students, better be careful while walking down this street. If your kid is going to this school, better take precautions, before it’s too late. Always remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

By the way, if you are to visit the motorcyclephilippines.com forum section, you will see that even motorcycle drivers are wary of passing through this stretch of road. Posts and feedbacks range from warnings of what to expect and avoid to the usual offerings of cautionary tales of the modus operandi of illegal settlers to unsuspecting motorists and passersby.

2 Quiapo
The whole area of Quiapo is a place teeming with hoodlums and hooligans just waiting to pounce on you whether you’re in a jeepney, an fx or in your own car for that matter. Just imagine walking along its sidewalks. The whole stretch of Recto Ave. from Divisoria to Rizal Ave. all the way to the University Belt up to the dark corners of Legarda St. near the gates of a known university facing the Legarda/R.Magsaysay flyover is a veritable no man’s land as early as 7 o’clock in the evening.

Meanwhile, the Quezon Bridge is also a black hole for anyone’s personal belongings once you meet up with a two-man scissor-knives team ready to either slash your bag or your neck depending on whether you turn out to be an easy victim or not.

An article which appeared in the September 6, 2005 edition of The Philippine Star reported that during that time, unsolved killings in Quiapo reached dramatic proportions prompting residents of the area to call Quiapo a “no man’s land”. Speaking of which, I haven’t gone to Quiapo for quite some time now. Has it really been that long? OMG! I actually miss the place!

1 Navotas
The street leading to the harbour is a dumping ground for dead bodies. There’s a new “harvest” almost every two weeks in that area, or so they say.

But is it all true or just the stuff of urban legends? For although it’s a well know fact that Navotas is notorious for being known as a depository of “salvage” victims, it appears nothing much has been said or done by the police or the local authorities for that matter. You know what’s happening and yet it seems people don’t care anymore it’s not even in the news.

Well, one did make it to the news because of its utter gruesomeness and the case has been controversial ever since. June 2009 saw the recovery of (allegedly) Ruby Rose Barrameda’s concrete-covered remains inside a drum which was also encased within a steel box which was then again filled with another round of concrete for good measure. A few days after, The Philippine Daily Inquirer came out with a story—Kin of 5 other victims come out—in which relatives of murder victims narrated how their own loved ones were found much like the same way as Barrameda’s.

It makes you wonder how such a thing can even happen right in the heart of that city. And to think we're the only Christian Nation in the whole of Asia. Tsk-tsk to that.

So unfortunately, there you have it---the nooks and crannies of the metro one and all should avoid be it night or be it day. As much as possible, do stay away from these areas. If it can’t be avoided, well, you’ve been warned. As they say in Filipino---"Buntot mo, hila mo".

[Latindancer]

Thanks for reminding us. That was horrific.