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Safe in the Philippines? : Update Wed., Feb 23, 2005. Statement from United States Ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone, The man who knows with the responsibility of the safety of every US Citizen here in the Philippines
Recent Safety Information, posted by Livinginthephilippines3 Member
From: "Dale Gribble"
Date: Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:40 am
Subject: Queries about safety
Dave write:
Although those with
many years of experience often assure first-
timers that travel to and in the Philippines is
not dangerous, the
US State Department continually re-issues
years-old advisories that
make the Philippines seem only slightly less
dangerous than Iraq.
Interesting new report here as to what the US
Ambassador to the Philippines, Francis Ricciardone daid in the
Manila Bulletin
yesterday:
"(Ricciardone) brushed aside the perceived
terrorist threats in the
Philippines after the simultaneous terrorist
bombings in three
cities in the Philippines last week.
Instead, Ricciardone has urged his father, Francis
Sr., to take a
tour of the Philippines, and even invited the
Filipino public for a
tour of the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in
Manila.
"We don't worry about (the security of American
forces or of the
Americans visiting this country). We advise
Americans it's a fine
place to visit, we take (Philippine National
Police chief) Director
General Edgar Aglipay's words to Filipinos as
applying to us — know what you're doing, know where you go, pay
attention — and it's a
fine place to be if you do that" (full story here)
http://www.mb.com.ph
It was interesting to
learn a month or so ago that more than 75% of
the US citizen embassy staff has applied to
extend their overseas
tours in Manila .. guess they aren't so concerned
about the danger
either.
Safe Defends not Only on Where You Are but Who You Are
This question
(where to live) arrive often on these lists and
impossible to answer with people, the member(s) doesn't
know. Basically, the Philippines is as "safe" as
anywhere in the USA, (as is any Country) depending on
where one live. I lived outside of a U.S. City with
areas this white boy didn't belong PERIOD! But, that
didn't mean the whole City fits that picture.
Members on these large membership groups, lives all
across this Country, and each one, has found their
snitch to hang their hat, based on their wants and
desires (life style). What's "safe/desirable" for
them, may not be for others? But, they speak higher in
regards to where they are at!
I've traveled 3/4 of this Country (mostly by bus/ boat
at different times, and I believe I could find a spot
(safe/comfortable) in or near any place I've been. Some
places I just didn't like, and now knowing some members
live there and are happy.
Knowing where and the activities of the rebel armies
are, (most people out of the Country, knows they are
here) might be a better question to ask.
The NPA (New Peoples Army) is on the Negros Island in
the mountains, (as with most Islands), but after a year+
living here, we haven't had any problems. We have driven
in the areas, their said to be. My wife has been on the
Oriental side for over 6 years with no problems. She
was raised in the Cebu mountains until her teens, by a
poor corn
farmer. Therefore, she knows what goes on in the Cebu
mountains.
There are many foreigners living on the Cebu Island and
talk highly of what they found (safe/comfortable) over
time. Last I heard, there are about 2,500
(retired/visiting) foreigners on the Negros Island at
any given time. Those living in or near Manila, also
speak highly of their location, even with the Government
upheaval, that goes on from time to time.
I'll let others (if they choose) to comment on what
Islands or part of an Island, a foreigner doesn't belong
and why.
Knowing where you might "not" want to be, and what
"others" have to say about their location, might give
you an overall view and may narrow your search, based on
"your" life style?
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