I see a lot of posts in this group asking about safety in the Philippines, ranging from general security worries to "Do I need an armed bodyguard?"
Let me share the other side of that conversation. I've lived in the Philippines for most of the past 15 years, and honestly, I feel more at ease there than I do back home in the US.
In my daily life in the Philippines, the alertness I need mostly comes down to making sure I'm not getting overcharged for mangoes or paying too much for a ride. Armed protection isn't something to sit around worrying about.
If anything, I probably walk around more relaxed than I should, and so far that hasn't caused me any problems.
When I go back to the US, I raise my guard a little. It's nothing dramatic, but there's a difference. The same goes for some places I've been in South America and Africa. They're fun places to visit, but depending on where exactly you are, you pay a bit more attention to your surroundings.
After 15 years, the Philippines feels like home. The level of fear I see in these posts doesn't match my everyday experience.
I agree. As a Black man from the US, there's no doubt in my mind that I feel safer in the Philippines than in the US.
The Philippines doesn't think about safety at all. It's not a walkable place either. Ask me about my broken ankle.
I've been to worse places — I got robbed in Rio de Janeiro. I always carry 3 wallets: 1) small bills and coins (local currency), 2) small US bills hidden in a thin money belt around my waist, 3) large US bills in a leg money belt or in socks with a hidden zipper pocket. I only handed over the wallet with the coins and small bills. Don't travel with jewelry, expensive watches, or a phone. They're not worth fighting over. Cheers😍
Right, I think a lot of the people who worry are first-time travelers or people who only stay inside resort walls. I've seen a few things in AC. Small, annoying crimes like phone snatching. But that's it, minor stuff. Nobody gets assaulted, and nobody gets robbed the way it happens in big US cities. I lived and worked in Baltimore for a long time, and the Philippines is far less stressful than that city. If you keep your eyes open, stay polite, and walk with purpose, you're *mostly* fine.
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