Any Americans here ever go to Maguindanao..

[The_Sage1 2]

I'm just curious if any Americans here ever went to Maguindanao to meet their fiance? Since Maguindanao has been really big in the news lately in light of terrorist attacks and kidnappings, I wonder if anyone here actually went there. I personally don't think I'd ever have the balls to go there. Walking around in that place with an American flag shirt would be like swimming in shark infested waters with steaks strapped to your arms and legs. So kudos to anyone who actually went there for their lover!

[marklovetina 52]

I'm just curious if any Americans here ever went to Maguindanao to meet their fiance? Since Maguindanao has been really big in the news lately in light of terrorist attacks and kidnappings, I wonder if anyone here actually went there. I personally don't think I'd ever have the balls to go there. Walking around in that place with an American flag shirt would be like swimming in shark infested waters with steaks strapped to your arms and legs. So kudos to anyone who actually went there for their lover!

for now, if u really love to see ur fiancee there u can go to manila.. or in other place in mindanao that is safe...

[tallcoolone 102]

I go to Mindanao.

I love it, Don't go Jolo Island and you will be fine.

Davao is probably the safest Major city in PI, compared to Cebu/Manila, They mayor of Davao runs the city with an Iron Fist and does not tolerate criminals. He has his death squad kill about 3 drug or theives each week.

I think Manila is POS city, and if that is the only place they visit they have really missed out on seeing the Philippines.

I have traveled all over Mindanao, Via bus, MotorBike, and van, Never once have I felt in danger. Last year before my fiance arrived I made 3 trips to PI and stayed almost exclusively in the Mindanao area.

[marklovetina 52]

I go to Mindanao.

I love it, Don't go Jolo Island and you will be fine.

Davao is probably the safest Major city in PI, compared to Cebu/Manila, They mayor of Davao runs the city with an Iron Fist and does not tolerate criminals. He has his death squad kill about 3 drug or theives each week.

I think Manila is POS city, and if that is the only place they visit they have really missed out on seeing the Philippines.

I have traveled all over Mindanao, Via bus, MotorBike, and van, Never once have I felt in danger. Last year before my fiance arrived I made 3 trips to PI and stayed almost exclusively in the Mindanao area.

hehehe.. but not only mindanao sir... u can take a loook at luzon too... there are lots of very good sites here... especially in the province of luzon... :dance:

[jsnearline 2]

My wife's brother was kidnapped by an armed gang in Lanao del Sur five years ago while working on a cell tower siting project for a telecom company. He and his coworkers were held for almost a month. Needless to say, my wife doesn't have a very favorable image of Mindanao as a result.

On the other hand, I have a priest friend who spent a couple months in Davao and really liked it. He said he'd definitely go back if given the chance.

There are certain places in Metro Manila that I don't feel safe. I had my wallet stolen in Cainte by a very prefessional group of pickpocketers. I had the last laugh as I had no $$$ in my wallet. I just wish I'd had a note in it that said "so long suckers!".

So, I suppose it all depends on one's experience.

[danvil101 0]

It may just be an isolated case, and it was alleged to be a politics related incident. You may still go to Maguindanao, but don't show any political affiliation to either parties/clan. But it is advised not to stay there for now since it is under state of emergency and tensions are still present in the area. Have some trip in other places. Philippines has lots of good places to offer and sure you will love them. Good luck!

[tallcoolone 102]

Heres what I find in Manila.

Taxis' trying to overcharge or not use meter or take the longest route possible.

Going to Money Changers they try to screw you over

Everybody and their dog is trying to sell : Watches, SunGlasses, Cialis on the streets.

Metro Manila is just way too crowded and dirty for my taste, and the pace is too fast.

The best thing to do in Manila is to hop a plane to another city in PI....

[TripleG 3]

I totally agree. The best part about landing in Manila is the flight out of there to somewhere else in the RP. My favorite spots in Luzon are Batangas, and the Island of Oriental Minduro next to Batangas.

Wyatt

Heres what I find in Manila.

Taxis' trying to overcharge or not use meter or take the longest route possible.

Going to Money Changers they try to screw you over

Everybody and their dog is trying to sell : Watches, SunGlasses, Cialis on the streets.

Metro Manila is just way too crowded and dirty for my taste, and the pace is too fast.

The best thing to do in Manila is to hop a plane to another city in PI....

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth is from Cagayan. When I first went there my friend was living in Iligan. I never felt threatened but that area below Iligan and even in Iligan is very dangerous.

What area are you planning on visiting? Yahoo has expats groups and usually you can find an expats group in many areas in the Philippines. I suggest you try to find one of these groups and get to know them, they can be very helpful. Good luck

[luv2uallday 1]

It may just be an isolated case, and it was alleged to be a politics related incident. You may still go to Maguindanao, but don't show any political affiliation to either parties/clan. But it is advised not to stay there for now since it is under state of emergency and tensions are still present in the area. Have some trip in other places. Philippines has lots of good places to offer and sure you will love them. Good luck!

it would be a foolish idea for any American to travel to that Maquindanao. Reason being is it's not only political factors that motivate kidnapping but financial factors as well. They see an American they know he or she will be worth alot more money in ransom. So even if the American was political nuetral they would STILL kidnap him. They use ransom money to fund their terrorist activities drug activities.

lesson DO NOT GO TO MAQUINDANAO SULU or any city that is high risk unless you want to be someones involuntary guest or your HEAD CHOPPED OFF need i remind a school principle in a mindinao province was kidnapped recently family couldn't pay the ransom and he had his head chopped off and thrown in the street all over the news. I do't think you want your 15 minutes of fame trust me it's not worth losing your head over. Also, think if you get kidnapped think of the position you will put your whole family in.

Me cebu is the farthest south i have traveled. I maybe venture to davao one day but that's it. have a nice day

[Jasman0717 9]

It may just be an isolated case, and it was alleged to be a politics related incident. You may still go to Maguindanao, but don't show any political affiliation to either parties/clan. But it is advised not to stay there for now since it is under state of emergency and tensions are still present in the area. Have some trip in other places. Philippines has lots of good places to offer and sure you will love them. Good luck!

Mindanao can be a dangerous place but it is election time so violence like that on Mindanao does happen during election time. There is also a lot of activity by the Abu Sayyaf group on Mindanao. I know the state department has had an ongoing warning for U.S. citizens visiting Mindanao.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2190.html

[Mr.&Mrs.A 0]

My fiancee lives in northern Mindanao and I find it very pleasant. It has been my experience there that it is a safe place to be for the most part. I think all things being considered and said it is my advice that all americans in the Philippines just need to always be aware of their surroundings. Remember, there is no 911 ! and it can sometimes be hard tell the good guys from the bad. Its true, during election time it is dangerous, so be very careful where ever you are at that time.

Southern Mindanao, we have family in Davao so I would go there and feel safe. To deliberately go to an area I know is full of radical muslims, no way! and Southern Mindanao ( Maguindanao, Zamboanga city) are from what I hear is right where they nest. It's really a shame too because I would love to go there.

[Jasman0717 9]

My fiancee lives in northern Mindanao and I find it very pleasant. It has been my experience there that it is a safe place to be for the most part. I think all things being considered and said it is my advice that all americans in the Philippines just need to always be aware of their surroundings. Remember, there is no 911 ! and it can sometimes be hard tell the good guys from the bad. Its true, during election time it is dangerous, so be very careful where ever you are at that time.

Southern Mindanao, we have family in Davao so I would go there and feel safe. To deliberately go to an area I know is full of radical muslims, no way! and Southern Mindanao ( Maguindanao, Zamboanga city) are from what I hear is right where they nest. It's really a shame too because I would love to go there.

Yea, the northern part of Mindanao is great. I really like Cagayan and we did a couple of stays on Camiguin and a few days at Duka Bay by Gingoog. I have a chicken farm in Bukidnon. My Filipina business partner has been running it for the last 5 years. She has a fiance interview in December with high hopes of moving to Colorado by the end of the year.

[George&Hazel 1]

Use common sense and do not go to places you should not be you will be fine. I will be going back to the Philippines in around a month hopefully, and most of my time will be spent in Manila, and it makes me very sad. Manila is my least favorite place there. Mindanao was my favorite area, but i knew there places where it was not safe. Hopefully will find a way out of manila for a good portion of the stay there. Place gives me a headache.....

[Nenita and David 1]

If it's any indication of the danger level, my wife (who's from southern Negros Oriental) litterally forbids me to travel to Mindanao. It probably doesn't matter, since I'm a U.S. government employee and am thus not allowed to travel there without special permission, and probably wouldn't want to anyway. I won't give you any argument on Manila - it makes Detroit look like a vacation resort. But the thugs in Mindanao make the gangsters over here look like petty criminals.

This being said, kidnappings can and have happened in most parts of the Phils, including Cebu. National Geographic did a "Locked Up Abroad" documentary on an American who was abducted near the docks in Cebu, taken to another island (he never knew where) and held until he was able to escape with the help of one of his captors.

Also, people I've met from Davao seem to think it's a relatively safe place. They do have the occasional bombings, but again, that can happen anywhere in the Phils. The Abus and the NPA have operatives throughout the country.