Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gatorchick82]

Has anyone had any bad experiences concerning safety in the Philippines? A couple friends and I are thinking of going to Manila and then to Cebu or another beachy area. Thanks.

[ttompatz]

[Matman]

Avoid metred taxis in Manila. Do like the locals and use the Jeepneys.

[IlIlNine]

Watch your pockets though!

I've been to the Philippines a few times and I've never had a problem.

[traxxe]

Taxi safety and watch for scams.

I just got back from a 10 day trip not too long ago. I was attempted to be scammed a couple of times. I let one guy succeed.

He came up to me to shake my hand. I wouldn't shake his hand. I was at a mall about a mile from my hotel. He then pipes up he works security at my hotel. He's here getting his son some ice cream for his birthday. I know this is a scam. So I ask, "What hotel am I staying at?" He answer the correct hotel. Crap. Either he followed me here with my girl from there or he works there and I don't want to take a chance with my laptop, etc.

I gave him 200 pesos. He asked for 500. I told him I would beat the shit out of him before I gave him that many. I immediately went back to the hotel, I took a camera picture of him when I was leaving on my phone. He didn't work there but they printed the photo and said someone had been doing this to a couple of guests there. They gave the photo to the security guard and told me if they saw him while I was there trying to hit up more guests I could watch him get the shit kicked out him.

I just checked out and switched hotels just in case. It was worth 200 pesos just in case the fucker was security and the place was ransoming my security.

***

One taxi I got into had a meter. He wouldn't turn his meter on and then just started driving. He told me he would charge me fifty pesos to get to the Mall of Asia. About right, then he started slowing down and turned onto a side rode. I wrapped my keys in my knuckles and he declared he was going to puts some gas in. A truck rolled up behind us with curtains covered the front windows. Crap, about to get jacked. I told the guy I was an American Police Officer and that I had just texted his plate number to my friend. If anything would happen they would notify the Manila police. He sped out of the alley and let me out, the truck backed up and went away. He never asked for a fair or anything.

I got another cab.

Always take metered cabs.

[ajgeddes]

[Tiger Beer]

[indytrucks]

[justagirl]

Personally, I would NOT ride in a jeepney in Manila--I would take a metered taxi--ask the driver first if he will turn on his meter. If he won't, don't get in.

When you are in smaller cities, there may not be taxis, and then jeepneys are okay--it's just the ones in Manila were very crowded, there wasn't room for luggage, and it didn't look safe--it just didn't feel like a good idea.

My husband and I went to the Philippines twice and the only problem we had was having to leave so soon! If you do go to Manila, stay in Makate, near the Greenbelt. Then head off to someplace with a nice beach and enjoy!

[Matman]

For carrying luggage of course you need a metred taxi but you'd better have the right change unless you feel like giving a "tip". The rip-off merchants are around but just ignore them and they go away. traxxe did just about everything wrong in that situation. Just treat them like they don't exist and they go away. Definitely don't give them any money. If you're female beware that most of the bars are pick-up bars, especially in Makate and Ermita although there is plenty of 'normal' nightlife too. Ermita is the cheapest of those two foreigner-friendly areas.

[traxxe]

I gave him 200 pesos in case he did work at the hotel he followed me from. Last thing I want is my shit getting stolen. I had my fiancee's engagement ring check in with the security department's safe too. It was worth 200 pesos just to buy me time to get back and check out in case he was a security personel like he suggested.

The cab thing was stupid. I should have made the meter turn on.

[Matman]

Is it usual for hotel security personnel to demand money from you while you're out shopping? And is it usual that if you don't hand over your money your belongings at the hotel are at risk? What sort of hotels do you stay in?

No offence but you sound like the sort of guy who would fall for the Bangkok gems scam and then get all upset when you get home to find your "precious stones" are lumps of coloured glass.

You have to be more streetwise in places like the Philippines.

[ajgeddes]

I still don't understand why you gave him 200 pesos. So, he told you he was getting ice cream and works security at your hotel, so you gave him 200 pesos? And then he says he wants 500?

[indytrucks]

[ajgeddes]