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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Evanzinho
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: California
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 Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for not getting back to everyone on here, I'm back in the States and I've been busy lately. Anyway, I filled out some forms from my state's Victim Compensation Claims Board that the U.S. embassy in Manila told me about, I'm still waiting to hear back from them, but I doubt I'll get the money back. I'm just going to wait and see what they say/do.
Ttompatz has the right idea to avoid Manila but you really can't if you're traveling anywhere in the Phils, because you have to catch a flight out of Manila to other palces in the Philippines. So, you're probably going to stay at least one night in Manila, what do other's on here suggest, just stay at Ninoy Aquino International airport and don't leave? Sleep at the airport?? BTW, I think that's the worst airport I've ever been to in my life, although Terminal three is okay I guess, but Terminal one is the worst.
Minos: The purple card is the KEB Global ATM card, it can be used at any machine with the Plus logo. I've used it in the Philippines, Hong Kong, the U.S, it's worked in every country I've tried it. Like I said, there doesn't seem to be a withdrawl limit on that card, unlike other ATM cards I have, so beware! Maybe you should only keep 500k or so in that account for emergencies or something.
Chungbukdo: I don't know if Catholic countries like kidnapping, but when I was at the police station they had a poster of all these criminals wanted for KFR. I asked one of the cops what KFR is and he said it means kidnapping for ransom! Apparently it's a (somewhat) common crime in the Phils. Anyway, I don't blame catholicism, I blame the Spanish; Philippines, Mexico, Colombia...what do these countries all have in common...?
Matthew's World: It was a little after 11pm and yes, you're right, it was in an unlit side street. But what do you mean by you would have "done a number on them"? Four dudes, two with guns, who are you, Batman? |
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peter07
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Gwangmyeong
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:35 am Post subject: |
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I'm sorry this happened to you but give the Phils another chance. I love the beaches there and such, and well, it's not like I'd never hit New York again because I got mugged there.
Most agree that Manila is a polluted armpit that is best avoided if at all possible. |
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s.tickbeat
Joined: 21 Feb 2010
Location: Gimhae
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Ugh, I hated Manilla. HATED it. I was picking up my visa for Korea after a trip to SE Asia, and after getting the run-around from the Korean embassy there I had to stay for TWO WEEKS. Not knowing any better, I stayed at a little French guesthouse in Ermita. Not the best area, for sure, but nothing like this ever happened to me. The worst was that people kept trying to grab my bag, and I learned to hold on real tight. |
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Keeper
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:47 am Post subject: |
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I take it the OP was trying to pick up some prostitutes for the evening. His story is still void of details. Sorry this happened to the OP.
Usually if you are in the wrong area and doing the wrong thing you are running a higher risk. It can happen just as easily in Makati. I lived in Manila for years in some of the worst areas of the city and never had any problems.
If you are a woman or flashing your wealth then you will be noticed. They like to prey on the weak. Carry a couple thousand P and leave the wallet elsewhere. Don't carry it with you. If you take your smartphone you are signalling them how much wealth you have. Avoid wearing jewellery, wear a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
Greenhills is another fairly safe part of town if you are that worried. There are a number of wealthy people living there. |
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passport220
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province
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| Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Keeper wrote: |
I take it the OP was trying to pick up some prostitutes for the evening. His story is still void of details. Sorry this happened to the OP.
Usually if you are in the wrong area and doing the wrong thing you are running a higher risk. It can happen just as easily in Makati. I lived in Manila for years in some of the worst areas of the city and never had any problems.
If you are a woman or flashing your wealth then you will be noticed. They like to prey on the weak. Carry a couple thousand P and leave the wallet elsewhere. Don't carry it with you. If you take your smartphone you are signalling them how much wealth you have. Avoid wearing jewellery, wear a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
Greenhills is another fairly safe part of town if you are that worried. There are a number of wealthy people living there. |
Yes, brilliant post, Manila is safe as a mother's womb. Clearly the only right thing to do in this case is blame the victim, he must have been �flashing his wealth� just for the thrill of it or some other such activity when he was robbed.
In related news, it seems there has been a recent 60% increase in people �flashing their wealth� or out picking up prostitutes in Metro Manila as reported by the local Manila news channel:
�Metro Manila crime rate up by nearly 60%� full story here: http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/09/05/12/metro-manila-crime-rate-nearby-60 |
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slasher
Joined: 24 May 2012
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| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:11 am Post subject: |
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| Regarding limits on KEB, there is indeed a limit. Although I don't remember the exact amount, I think it was 1 million for domestic ATMs per time, and 2 million per day. I do not think that limit is higher on abroad ATMs. And when my gf recently opened an account, they did ask her if she wanted the maximum withdrawal limit on it or lower. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:13 am Post subject: |
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| daily limits on how much can be taken out by your card sometimes means you get to stay a few days to a week with your new kidnapper buddies. |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Doesn't this just make you want to jump on a plane to the Phillipines? Another item of interest I heard is that robberies in Taxis in Indonesia are on the increase. |
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lemak
Joined: 02 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| Another item of interest I heard is that robberies in Taxis in Indonesia are on the increase. |
They did just catch a handful of independent taxi drivers working together in Jakarta as part of a gang to rob (usually) women.
When in Indonesia, where available always take Bluebird taxi company. Same price as the others, but they're a lot more accountable, and if you take them from a major departure point such as the airport or shopping malls you and the driver will both have your details taken by one of the company employees to hopefully have some kind of recourse in the off chance they've been fiddling with the meter, try to rip you off by driving around in circles, or you leave your cell phone behind.
http://www.bluebirdgroup.com/passenger-transportation/regular-taxi-blue-bird-pusaka |
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Evanzinho
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: California
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:31 am Post subject: |
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Just to follow up on this, almost six months later now and I've received a letter from the California Victim Compensation Program saying I'm eligible for assistance, but it does not cover loss of property. So pretty much besides the medical bills, which are almost nothing, I'm SOL.
Be careful in Manila! |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:22 am Post subject: |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| Another item of interest I heard is that robberies in Taxis in Indonesia are on the increase. |
Another thing long stay travellers need to consider for Indonesia (as long as I have already introduced the subject), is you will have to fly out and fly back in for another visa. At your point of arrival when you arrive back, the Immigration criminals in Indonesia will wave you back into another room and try to extort money out of you. All I can say is never carry very much money with you; have say 30 dollars in Rubiah on you only, because they will ask you for whatever they see on you. They might also try to get you to give them your debit or credit card so they can extract cash out of it (probably all of it). Never give them your credit or debit card; at that point you have to threaten them. My friend told them 'he would then have to go to the consulate'.
My friend eventually found that when you re-enter Indonesia you can go to Bataam (an island outside Singapore) by ferry and they won't extort you there. Then from there fly to Jakarta or Denpasar (you arrive at the domestic terminals so the corrupt immigration officials can't get you there).
I don't know if it's like that in the Phillipines or not. That may be something that a traveler might have to consider. Thai Immigration officials seem to be totally uncorrupt (except for illegal guest workers and thier not that bad to them either).
I've really hammered Thailand in other forum replies but Thai officials really will help you if you have to have it and don't extort and aren't criminals. |
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lemak
Joined: 02 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:21 am Post subject: |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| young_clinton wrote: |
| Another item of interest I heard is that robberies in Taxis in Indonesia are on the increase. |
Another thing long stay travellers need to consider for Indonesia (as long as I have already introduced the subject), is you will have to fly out and fly back in for another visa. At your point of arrival when you arrive back, the Immigration criminals in Indonesia will wave you back into another room and try to extort money out of you. All I can say is never carry very much money with you; have say 30 dollars in Rubiah on you only, because they will ask you for whatever they see on you. They might also try to get you to give them your debit or credit card so they can extract cash out of it (probably all of it). Never give them your credit or debit card; at that point you have to threaten them. My friend told them 'he would then have to go to the consulate'.
My friend eventually found that when you re-enter Indonesia you can go to Bataam (an island outside Singapore) by ferry and they won't extort you there. Then from there fly to Jakarta or Denpasar (you arrive at the domestic terminals so the corrupt immigration officials can't get you there). |
Bear in mind in Indo you're legally required to have an onward ticket on arrival. Usually they will request to see it, and even if applying for a B211 60 day visa outside the country will still need to provide a copy of your onward plane ticket as part of the visa application process.
Most people who fly into Indonesia who have trouble with immigration there seem to come to such problems as a result of not satisfying the entry requirements.
Frequently they will waive the onward ticket if you can prove you have adequate funds to cover the duration of your stay (in the past it used to be 1,000 bucks)
Entering into Batam is easier as a result of being just a ferry ride from Singapore. Should you receive hassle for not having a ticket out of the country it's straightforward enough to buy one from the ferry ticket office to fall into accordance with Indonesian immigration requirements.
Indonesian immigration are far and away from being stand up and honest, but if they don't have any crap to pin on you they'll generally leave you alone. No idea as to your friends situation, but I'd wager he was either being hassled as a result of not having an onward ticket, or if he'd come and gone multiple times due to suspicions he's working illegally.
Even in seemingly lawless Indonesia you do have rights when it comes to dealing with government departments. If you are sure you've legally done nothing wrong then stand your ground, ask to speak to supervisors etc. If they consider you a tough mark they'll just let you go on your way.
If you don't satisfy the entry requirements then it's up to you whether to continue arguing and risk being denied entry, being escorted out to buy an onward ticket, or coughing up an "administration fee" of 50 to 100 bucks.
For what it's worth those 30 day visas on arrival can be extended in country these days without the need for an annoying visa run to Singapore or Malaysia.
Probably a topic worthy of it's own thread anyhow. |
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