Four Main Areas Of Potential Dangers In The Philippines

Like most places, knowing where to go and where not to go, and when, can be a big part of you safety plan. Every city in the world has areas that you simply never go to because you have no need to be there and you are asking for the wrong kind of attention if you do. Some areas are fine by day but once darkness falls the streets are crime zones waiting for victims. I have walked many of the bad streets of Manila, Cebu and Angeles at all hours of the day and night and I have had experiences that were totally avoidable simply by not being there. Sometimes you can't avoid trouble, it finds you but overall you know where not to go and when and you simply obey that instinct. If you don't have that instinct, read on as we divide the potential dangers into four main areas of risk: Natural, Nature, Man-made (Direct) and Man-made (Indirect) While most of us think the greatest threat will come from other people directly, this is not always the case. In fact the statistics suggest there is more risk from a storm, infection, car crash or bad wiring than someone trying to kidnap or rob you.

Natural Dangers

The Philippines archipelago lies along the ring of volcanos that circle the Pacific. While this offers great potential for geo-thermal energy production, it also means there is a chance you can get covered in lava or the volcanic dust and mud called 'laha'. When Mt Pinatubo exploded in the early 1990s it signalled the end of the US bases at Clark and Subic, both of which were in the debris path. While the adjacent towns of Angeles City and Ologapo are back in business, the entertainment areas are no longer quite the same as they once were. Earthquakes are another hazard, although more likely are mudslides. During heavy monsoonal rains the hillsides often simply slide away under the weight of illegal shanty huts and lack of binding vegetation. While more a risk to the very poor, landslides can carry away vehicles on roads below the heights or even just cause expensive delays and missed flights. Not all hazards have to be life threatening to be injurious in some form or another. The typhoon season from late June to early December can be a dangerous time with major flooding in Manila and roads cut off in the provinces. You may find yourself unable to leave Baguio by either of the three winding mountain roads due to landslides and the airport might also be closed due to the weather. Getting from island to island by even large Super Ferry might be impossible due to heavy seas and in those conditions the smaller 'pump boats' are not to be risked. Be prepared at home and have fresh water and food and fuel for the stove set aside and just accept the reality that Nature will always be in charge.

Nature's Dangers

The Philippines is home to twenty one species of venomous snake, four of them varieties of Cobra, three of pit vipers and at least eleven types of sea snakes, Not to mention spiders, jellyfish, stonefish and sundry other little stinging beasties. Having said that in over twenty years of visiting the country, including several years living there full time and camping and scuba diving, I have only ever encountered a handful of venomous reptiles in all that time. All of them were doing their best to get away from me and that is the way it usually is unless you accidentally corner one or are stupid enough to try and catch one. Palawan and Mindanao does boast estuarine or saltwater crocodiles but you have more chance of being bitten by a rabid barangay bassett hound than a man eating saltie. Monkeys also carry rabies and should be avoided, especially the ones the owner swears are tame enough to stroke. Carabao, or water buffalo do get a little miffed at times and are worth staying away from and the same goes for all farm stock. Unless you really do feel the need to help out the Honeyko's Mom with her pigs and goats 'hands-on', stay away! Keep in mind W.C. Field's famous words, 'never work with children or animals'. Even the simple act of trying to avoid hitting a chicken or dog when riving can lead to a worse accident occurring and apart from ruining your vacation, it just might be one of those life changing events we all experience at some stage.

Man-Made (Direct) Dangers

'Cash, Bash and Trash' are the three things that will get you into the most trouble anywhere in the world. By trash I refer to trashy women. While the Philippines does offer the older western man a second lease of life with genuinely loving younger Filipina, there are good ones and bad ones and the trick is to tell the difference. Carrying too much cash or jewellery, even spending up big, being generous with your tips and flashing you cash in general will get you noticed. However it is attention you really don't need. Use hotel safe deposit boxes and carry just enough cash to handle a day or two's expenses. In all my years in the Philippines the only times I have ever heard of violence being used against a foreigner I can usually bet money the foreigner was drunk and gave offense to the locals. Filipinos are not scared of you. Do not think because they may back down they aren't coming back mob handed and armed. They don't consider that cowardly, just practical. As well they will have numerous witnesses to prove they stood up to the 'Kano'. Muggings and robberies are often a case of wrong place, wrong time and could have been avoided by using some common sense. A far greater danger comes from pick pockets. They often work in gangs and are very highly skilled and impossible to catch in the act. More insidious are 'set ups' where a child will approach a foreigner and all of a sudden 'police' appear and arrest you for being a pedophile. Of course if you pay a huge fine (often thousands of dollars) right away they can make it all go away. It also happens to men who engage the services of prostitutes they believe are over eighteen yet are in fact two or three years younger. The set up is a common ploy and as it is often the local police running the scam it can be difficult to extricate yourself without losing every cent you own.

Man-Made (Indirect) Dangers

If the threat comes from anything to do with people, yet is not intentional, then 'Man-Made (Indirect) is the risk category to consider. Car accidents, boat capsizes, bus crashes and even simple slip and fall injuries caused by someone's negligence are hazardous and possibly life threatening. Always consider the mode of transport you are about to embark upon. Think about the weather, the traffic and even the 'look' of whoever will have your life in their hands. You can't vet everyone on the road but you can give some thought to your chosen mode of transport and decide for yourself how your 'gut' feels about it. There are few ambulances in the major cities and virtually nil elsewhere. Provincial hospitals are often filthy and equipment free places where you go when you are waiting to die. While there are world class medical facilities in Manila, I can tell you from first hand experience that Bogo Municipal Hospital has few staff, few drugs, little equipment and a Hi-Ace van with a collapsing gurney as its ambulance. Many houses are not earthed or even wired properly and some even hook into the local power grid illegally. Toilets are often low bowls where you have to wash your hand as there is no paper and then flush the toilet with buckets of water. Even major malls often do not include toilet paper or regular cleaning. While perhaps not lethal, it is hazardous to one's health and at the very least unpleasant. Always carry your own toilet roll and plan your 'movements' to occur while in your hotel where possible. Streetwise Philippines have a guide on staying safe in the Philippines called Philippines Survival Handbook.