Expats safety measures

Just use common sense. Don't carry lots of cash, flashy jewelry and such. Dont be drunk in public and go with others.

Varying your dirving route is not really practical given the traffic situation in Mnl.

I just read an internet news few hours ago that a visiting Indian national (with a Filipina wife) was kidnapped few days ago....

I feel sorry for the visitor... We just have to watch out what we do.

Kidnapping often is committed by someone known to the family. A lot of desparate folks who see an opportunity because a cousin/relativ married someone with money. Thats common throughout developing countries and not limited to the Phils. In Phils, the Chinese Philippino community is often a high target due to perceived wealth and no trust of police.

My long time friend in Mindanao has her grandfather kidnapped. They weren't Chinese but the family owned a local bank.

While we can be victims of crime, we can also be victims of the elements: floods, fires, storms, etc.

FIRE: Have a fire extinguisher in your home, and make sure the contents haven't expired.  Here I have a fire extinguisher for upstairs, one for the kitchen plus a fire blanket.  Back in San Francisco, CA, the fire dept would be at your place in 3 minutes, but here . . . Hopefully, you won't have to experience a fire here.

Usually, the houses here have metal grills / bars for security and each room has a fire escape secured by a padlock. Check which windows have fire escapes, make sure you and your family members know where the key is. Check if the key actually works or the padlock hasn't rusted over.

FLOODS: Have at least half a tank of gas in your car always. Even if you live in a flood free area, prepare emergency supplies, including a battery-operated radio and flashlights, because your way to the supermarket or store might be flooded.  You don't want to wade in dirty waters, don't you?  Wading in flood waters could cause diseases, including the potentially fatal leptospirosis.

Prepare a "go-bag" in case there's a need to evacuate.  And if you have live-in house help, please don't forget to include them. Include a copy of you IDs and passports and pictures of family members too in case you get separated.  Cellphone batteries should have at least a half charge.  Instruct your kids what to do.

Keep some cash in your home, probably enough to get by in a week's time.  Have a combination of cash in large (Php500 as the largest bill) and small bills.  A clerk / cashier may not sell you that 5 gallon drinking water if you give him / her Php1,000.

Be safe, be alert.  Have an emergency plan.

dhnindc wrote:

Kidnapping often is committed by someone known to the family. A lot of desparate folks who see an opportunity because a cousin/relativ married someone with money. Thats common throughout developing countries and not limited to the Phils. In Phils, the Chinese Philippino community is often a high target due to perceived wealth and no trust of police.

nice comment!
You're right... usually kidnappingiy happened not because of the terrorist but done within the clan. Some of it were done by close friends or competitor in the business.  But overall, expats in the philippines are safe and free to hang-out.

I saw this documentary of NatGeo...called an "idiot abroad", there was this English guy who was in a relationship with a married Filipina.

Later on, the couple was arrested for 'adultery'. The husband sue the cohabiting couple.. It was an interesting story. I never knew such an antiquated law exist in the Philippines.

channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/locked-up-abroad/5749/Overview

When the couple was locked up, it was an awful scenario, prison cell too small with all kinds of bugs and rats infestation..

So yah expats have to be careful out there...we never know who are we messing with..

female_expat wrote:

I saw this documentary of NatGeo...called an "idiot abroad", there was this English guy who was in a relationship with a married Filipina.

Later on, the couple was arrested for 'adultery'. The husband sue the cohabiting couple.. It was an interesting story. I never knew such an antiquated law exist in the Philippines.

channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/locked-up-abroad/5749/Overview

When the couple was locked up, it was an awful scenario, prison cell too small with all kinds of bugs and rats infestation..

So yah expats have to be careful out there...we never know who are we messing with..

What a horrible ordeal!

When we first moved here, we used to see an Asian guy with his son at a nearby park.  He looked like in his mid 40's and his son was probably 6-7 years old.  He said he was South Korean.  He said used to have a business here, but his business partners pilfered money from the company.  He received death threats, that if he sued or reported them, the partners would have him killed.  So, he stays at home taking care of his son, as he couldn't find a job, and his Filipina wife is the one working.  He said that hopefully he could save enough money to start a new business so that he could have a source of income.

That was two years ago.  We don't see him at the park anymore.  Hopefully, he's okay.

Well it only shows.....if you're going to a new environment, always research, know the culture, dos and don'ts, read reviews and if possible ask first hand experiences from anybody who has been to the place. Then from there you can know what to expect. Cheers.

I dont think that anyone should be subjected to prison time if you fall in love to someone already married. That's like Roman culture in medieval times...

And that if you are the father of the lovechild, that your name should not appear on the child's birth certificate because the mother of your child is married to someone else. That is clearly wrong and fraudulent and I can't believe the PH gov do nothing to change a century old law or prefer to encourage the practice of wrong legal papers.

It is no wonder the term 'bastard' is still prevalent in Philippines. No divorce, no child support and touch luck if you are one of those kids.

When I was in DUbai, a Filipino journalist was vellified by his fellow Filipinos for publishing an article in Gulf News about

a) the smokey mountain and slums of Manila

b) how inequalities and justices are dealt in the Philippines

Many Filipinos treated the two articles 'degrading' and blaming the Filipino journalist for their 'embarassment'. Its like the slums happened only in Manila ? Slums are present in every developing countries. What the Filipino missed the point is that without exposing the truth, the Filipino politician would not take action.

I always tell my expat husband these reminders:

Don’t trust strangers easily

Never divulge your exact address. If somebody wants to meet you, meet them half-way .

Don’t engage in conversation that asks about your personal info

If you need to give your contact number, just give your mobile number.

Always keep your bank statements record locked up. “ I had experience with my past maid. I caught her scrolling our  bank statement when I left her cleaning our room ” Our bank statement was inside a cabinet and was surprised why she have to read it. That’s why I discourage the maids from agencies, you never know who you are really living with.

Be with a trusted local if you have any work in slum area

Be simple

ishar18 wrote:

I always tell my expat husband these reminders:

Never divulge your exact address. If somebody wants to meet you, meet them half-way .

Don’t engage in conversation that asks about your personal info

If you need to give your contact number, just give your mobile number.

Always keep your bank statements record locked up. “ I had experience with my past maid. I caught her scrolling our  bank statement when I left her cleaning our room ” Our bank statement was inside a cabinet and was surprised why she have to read it. That’s why I discourage the maids from agencies, you never know who you are really living with.

Be with a trusted local if you have any work in slum area

Be simple

-If you really have to meet up, it should be at a place that you picked, not one that they picked or suggested.

-Never divulge personal info.  If someone asks for your birthday, just politely say, "I don't tell anyone how "young" I am.  We're all 29 years old anyway."

-If a person offering a service asks for your number, just don't give it.  Ask them their number, and tell them you'll call them when you need their service. 

-If you have to have the maid clean your bedroom, do not leave her alone.  Like before attending an important meeting, go to the bathroom first and ignore the ringing phone if it's outside your bedroom.  Lock your bedroom if you need to leave the house.

-Unless your work involves you working in a slum area, to be on the safe side, have someone else go there on your behalf.

-Be simple.  With me, I've always preferred not to wear flashy or expensive jewelry, even on formal occasions. My husband and I also don't buy them because it's not just our style.  We just let the appropriate clothes, neat and styled hair, and our wedding bands kinda say who we are.

Be wary of surroundings and think carefully before you accept any invitation from strangers, specially if its an enticing invitation.

Wealthy Pinoy are a greater target due to most wont go to police if kidnapped, thus they hire body guards and tend to themselves.

Most expats will not be kidnapped as they know they embassy will get involved and push the police to act. Most kidnapping of expats is due to being married to a local or business partners and some bad blood has occurred. Your average expat working for a MNC is typically not targeted.

There is little need to get so worried about this topic.

A California man - few years ago was kidnapped by Abu Sayaff bandits, in Palawan. I forgot his last name, I think it was Sobrero. He was beheaded by the bandits.

I also read sometime ago about an American family in Makati was kidnapped for ransom. The family's home is actually the Philippines as the family have been in the country for a long long time. Suspect was a drug lord...

Its just a matter of time and who is the unlucky one to be the next victim really.

dhnindc wrote:

Most expats will not be kidnapped as they know they embassy will get involved and push the police to act. Most kidnapping of expats is due to being married to a local or business partners and some bad blood has occurred. Your average expat working for a MNC is typically not targeted.

[moderated]

Something to think about

cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/12/philippines.americans.abducted/index.html

This happened in the far southern province that is known for kidnapping, so they should have taken more precautions. Also, they believe a family member is involved.

point being most tourists will be ok.