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Is it best to take pounds to the phils and exchange them there

Discussion in 'Money Matters' started by SoldierRJ88, Dec 25, 2016.

  1. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    That was my understanding.
  2. DJB
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    DJB Active Member

    SoldierRJ88.... I don't want to alarm you or piss on your parade :))) but kidnappings and other devious acts are happening every day in the Phils.

    There is a Terrorist group called Abu Sayaf who Im sure would like nothing better than to get their hands on a serving British soldier.

    Although were all friends on here we don't really know who else is reading this, I would consider a name change on here and make sure your missus and her family don't bandy it about what you do for a living, capiche ?
  3. Bootsonground
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    Bootsonground Guest


    I opened a BPI express account very easily a few years back.... No idea these days if it`s that simple or not..
    Only one way to find out I suppose!
  4. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Yeh fair point and I've done my research on the Muslim groups that frequent the Philippines and also have checked with my superiors on the situation and her family dont throw it around that I'm a soldier but yes I'm proud.
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2017
  5. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Prior preparation and planning prevents pi** poor performance.
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  6. Maley
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    Maley Well-Known Member

    @SoldierRJ88 you should be fine if you are not headed towards mindanao (or only if you are in davao city).
    As mentioned by some members, that group might be reading or doing some research. So I would suggest delaying facebook check-ins etc after you have left the place.
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  7. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Thank you I'm going no where near the south anyway and don't use Facebook for security reasons as I'm also based in NI and am a target over here too but cheers for the advice.
  8. knightstrike
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    knightstrike Well-Known Member

    Nope, unless you have a job or permanently living in the Philippines.

    But you know me Boots, we have our ways. Hahahah...
  9. knightstrike
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    knightstrike Well-Known Member

    Just stay in the tourist spots, use your street-smarts, and listen to your gf and her relatives.

    If you feel a disturbance in the force, flee Padawan!

    Leave the off-track/far-flung places for now until you gain experience/intel about the place. You're a military-guy, you know more about this than me.
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  10. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Cheers will do and yes that's one good thing about us soldiers we have situation awareness and can tend to spot danger coming our way before it gets to us I will be careful and use my head and yes I will listen to them and one good thing I do get about to different places which leaves me in good stead.
  11. johncar54
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    johncar54 Active Member

    As a former police officer, and proud of it. I take great care not to put any photos of me , my wife or our families on any social media.

    With all due respect soldier, there is a difference to being proud and being stupid.

    I wish you well

    John
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  12. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Fair point and I don't use any social media but this i do understand where your coming from and I won't be putting dates up here or anything.
  13. johncar54
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    johncar54 Active Member

    Soldier I think this is a social media site.

    I have sent you PM so that can see some of what you have actually posted.

    Be careful, Stay safe

    John
  14. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Just replied John.
  15. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Evening all has anyone used a concealed money belt if so can you recommend one please.
  16. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I'm not at home mate, but I am an expert ;) on this subject :D

    Let me try to give some advice when I get home, I have two really good belts but only because I put on a bit of weight and the first one was then too small, and then I lost a lot of weight and the other one was just fine and then I put the weight on again and the first one was just right :D
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  17. SoldierRJ88
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    SoldierRJ88 Active Member

    Haha cheers oss I await your reply mate I knew somebody would be able to help :)
  18. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I have two leather belts, these are ordinary belts but with some nice features, the buckle is removable and there is a 60-70cm zipped compartment that runs the length of the belt.

    You can store in that kind of compartment up to 600 GBP (6 groups of 5x20 pounds rolled up into a thin tube shape) you could store up to £1250 in £50 notes although I have not done this.

    On a more practical note, when you are out and about in the Phils you can store a much smaller amount very discretely be it peso or pounds, I tend to have £100 in cash and up to 10,000 peso with maybe 5000 peso in the belt and the rest split between an actual wallet and my other pockets.

    The money belt looks like a leather belt it only looks odd during and immediately after a flight when it is stuffed but it is still much less likely to be noticed by a robber who is more likely looking for the soft elasticated belts that tourists tend to wear beneath their clothing wrapped round their stomach and I can attest that a real belt is actually much more comfortable than those things.

    Now the bad news, they are hard to get and the company I bought mine from 12 years ago are no longer trading they were called 'The Western Belt Company' and their products were top notch mine are both still in perfect condition proper long term quality workmanship.

    There are some companies that still sell these things, give me a wee while and I will try to look one up, I was looking for a spare last year and the search was hard, I will also try to post a pic of one of mine to make it clear exactly what it is.
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2017
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  19. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    This belt is 12 years old and cost about 50 quid at the time, I am pretty sure it will last me another 12 years, there is some wear and it will look a bit more shabby by that time but it is a great belt nonetheless.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
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  20. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Calling myself an expert on the subject is an exaggeration but I have used most conventional cheap money belts and I only really started to relax when I got this one, so well made and although yeah it is fairly clear that is it stuffed when it goes through the x-ray it still feels better concealed and safer once you are on the street.

    I only have to survive a 30 minute taxi ride to get home in the Philippines when it is stuffed and it is not so noticeable to taxi drivers or any other bystanders during that journey, but its real value comes after I arrive and it is not stuffed but just has some emergency money and spare peso for a night out that I can retrieve in the loo if I find the bill was a bit larger than I expected :)
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