Personal safety and security on Mindanao

The UK government has strongly advised against travelling to Mindanao becuase of terrorist actvity.

I hope to go to the Bislig City/Mangnagoy/Butuan area and would welcome any advice or comments. Thank you.

Personal safety and security on Mindanao

The more dangerous areas would be the south of Mindanao, this is where you have all the kidnappings from terrorist groups.

If you are white,, most probably you will stand out and attract attention. I have never been to the places you mentioned except for Butuan. I could say that generally it will be much safer in the bigger cities which welcome a lot of toursts as well.

I think if you are just careful and you make yourself aware of the goings-on around you, it will be wise. That goes to say for other parts of the world too.

Personal safety and security on Mindanao

Yes, there are active terrorists on Mindanao. The MILF and some others but their area of operation is usually confined to the western and southern parts of the island.

They did blow up the airport in Davao but that was years ago.

Just as you could not guarantee nothing bad will happen if we travel to London, we can%26#39;t give you any guarantee that nothing bad will happen if you travel to the eastern end of Mindanao. However, my expectation is that you will complete your journey physically unharmed. Can%26#39;t say about your mental state as you yearn to return as soon as you can!

I have not actually travelled to the cities mentioned. However, I have travelled to Surigao City which is relatvilely close plus many other places on Mindanao such as Ozamiz City, Iligan City, Cagay De Oro and Davao City.

I would be happy to travel to the areas you mentioned. Especially as there is a famous waterfall, whose name escapes me at the moment, in the area near To Bislig City, that I want to visit. Plus I would be happy to travel to all the other places I have travelled to previously.

Regards; Jim

No problem in those areas. There is some NPA activity in the hinterlands, so don%26#39;t head into the mountains alone, don%26#39;t drink with people carrying guns (there are a couple) and don%26#39;t ride the night bus to Bislig. Really.

But otherwise, the biggest danger is still drinking the water.

The bigger problem, IMHO, is that ';terrorist activity'; often allows simple common criminal acts to increase. So be a bit cautious, exercise situational awareness, and enjoy your trip.

Another thought: As you get closer to travel, check with the Foreign Office for any updates, especially about specific threats. Part of the reason for the broad based warnings is that it is simply not in their interest to have some half-cocked tourist doing stupid things - like getting kidnapped down by the docks. Bad publicity.

But sometimes they do have real information.

If its not urgent, why go there? If you are seeing a female (or male) for romantic reason, then go. Otherwise there are many places where your neck is not at stake. or are you thrilled of the prospect of being beheaded?

HEHEHEHEHE. I think maybe you%26#39;re just trying to scare the foreigners away. Keep the place an unspoiled secret for the rest of us. Come to think of it.....not a bad strategy.

scare? hardly. you cannot scare a determined tourist/individual. all i am saying is its close to action.

there are many places in the philippines that are worth visiting, davao is one. Why take the risk?

In 12 years in the Philippines I%26#39;ve only been caught 1 bomb attack... during a trip to Manila during the rizal day bombings. In Davao and the rest of Mindanao I%26#39;ve had no problems whatsoever. If your willing to travel to Manila, Mindanao should be no problem as long as you are sensible.