situation in ARMM?

The situation there has not changed really-except to get worse. Most every government has travel warnings and advisories against going there for any reason. To do so is to put your life and safety in the most serious risk possible.
Even the island of Mindanao is quite dangerous in most areas. But the area you are referring to is extremely dangerous.
There are many great places to go here in the Philippines without being in such danger.



Regards

Pampanga

I would strongly discourage personal travel to the ARMM

yeah I saw that Cebu has commercial flights to Tawi Tawi and thought maybe it's gotten better over the past year.

@Pampanga: What do you mean most of Mindanao is dangerous? I'm under the impression that from Davao up north is ok.

ngohly wrote:

yeah I saw that Cebu has commercial flights to Tawi Tawi and thought maybe it's gotten better over the past year.

@Pampanga: What do you mean most of Mindanao is dangerous? I'm under the impression that from Davao up north is ok.

Exactly as stated. Mindanao as a whole is simply not safe. There are expats living on the island that seem to do okay and that is their choice. I've lived in the Philippines for over 10 years and find life in other parts of the country enough of an adventure without venturing into areas that are decidedly risky.

Pampanga1 wrote:

ngohly wrote:

yeah I saw that Cebu has commercial flights to Tawi Tawi and thought maybe it's gotten better over the past year.

@Pampanga: What do you mean most of Mindanao is dangerous? I'm under the impression that from Davao up north is ok.

Exactly as stated. Mindanao as a whole is simply not safe. There are expats living on the island that seem to do okay and that is their choice. I've lived in the Philippines for over 10 years and find life in other parts of the country enough of an adventure without venturing into areas that are decidedly risky.

Davao is considered to be safer than any other metro city in all of SE Asia including Manila for foreigners...It is mostly Western Mindinao which is considered extremely unsafe...

vetretreat wrote:

Davao is considered to be safer than any other metro city in all of SE Asia including Manila for foreigners...It is mostly Western Mindinao which is considered extremely unsafe...

Yup that's what I thought, that Northern Mindanao, Davao, Surigao, and Zamboangan are all fine.

ngohly wrote:

vetretreat wrote:

Davao is considered to be safer than any other metro city in all of SE Asia including Manila for foreigners...It is mostly Western Mindinao which is considered extremely unsafe...

Yup that's what I thought, that Northern Mindanao, Davao, Surigao, and Zamboangan are all fine.

You had better do a little more research on Zamboanga City and the entire peninsula...There have been kidnappings near that area...It is located on the West Coast and at the Southern tip of Mindinao and have had travel advisories from the USA...I personally would stay clear of it...Surigao is OK though from what I understand..

i think those places like sulu and basilan are not advisable for foriegners to visit, i dont think those are safe place at all. there are a lot of choices, elnido, bohol, surigao, launion and a lot more on the list, just check out the tourist spots in the philippines through the internet and you'll find more exciting places.

Davao is a nice and safe place too, in fact i already booked my self and my 3 officesmates for our flight on November and we will going to spend time in Samal Island.

Thanks all, I'm visiting El Nido and central Visayas soon, so I'll be putting down Surigao and Davao for my next trip.