Is the Philippines safe? A question which has no doubt been on the mind of many foreigners planning on visiting The Philippines. They are drawn by the beauty and culture this country has to offer but may remain hesitant due to the very real risks present in some areas of the country.
There have been many highly publicized cases involving foreigners getting in trouble while travelling The Philippines. Unsurprisingly this can deter tourists from wanting to spend time in the country due to concerns for their own safety.
Further to this, a quick google search will also bring up plenty of news articles covering the frequent terrorist beheadings, vigilante murders, and the rampant corruption throughout the country.
Safety in the Philippines: My personal experience
I remember the very first time I travelled to The Philippines. I had no idea of what I should be expecting. The majority of the travel websites I visited would only show me the picturesque beach and jungles scenes which lure so many tourists to the country.
The thing is if you’re visiting as a tourist, that is all you really have to experience, there really isn’t much of a reason to go outside of these areas. Generally speaking, if you stick to those “touristy” areas, you’ll never have a problem.
Personally, I can’t say I have ever had an issue in The Philippines. The most trouble I have had was dealing with people trying to scam me out of ridiculous amounts of money.
So maybe the country is safe or maybe I am just lucky?
After all, a lot of my close friends have had negative experiences where people have pulled out knives of them, another has been robbed at gunpoint and others have been victims of snatchers.
So how safe am I in the Philippines?
For me, it all comes back to is common sense.
Don’t put yourself in situations where you become vulnerable – walking the streets alone late at night, carrying valuable items out in the open such as jewellery or your mobile phone.
It requires a mindset of vigilance, keeping points in mind such as –
- be aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about, and try not to draw too much attention to yourself.
- Try to avoid crowded areas.
- Do not acknowledge, or get too involved with beggars, although they are not bad people they can be opportunistic due to their circumstances.
- Limit the amount of cash you carry on you during days out, always try to leave cash and valuables at your accommodation, ideally locked away.
So is The Philippines safe? Well, it is as safe as most other cities in the world, it is certainly not a hotbed for criminals. For me putting off a visit to The Philippines due to safety concerns is definitely not warranted. The country has so much to offer in beauty and its unique culture. Remaining safe is as simple as using your common sense and always remaining alert. As long as you stick to that you will have one of the most unique, memorable holidays of your life.
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