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Mindanao, Martial Law, tourists?

Discussion in 'Travel Tips and Advice' started by Bluebird71, Jul 20, 2017.

  1. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    How is Martial Law affecting those of you who are or have been to Mindanao recently?

    Is it business as usual, are you being asked to produce ID?

    I'm not interested in the pros and cons of Martial Law, I am interested in how it is affecting people who now live under Martial Law and, in particular, how it affects Westerners visiting or living there.

    I was reading the guidelines issued to the people of Davao, including carrying a passport at all times, only leaving your residence if necessary and so on.

    Has anyone decided to stay away based on Martial Law?

    With Martial Law now to be extended until the end of the year, I suspect a few of you are already in the middle of plans to travel there.
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  2. Stupot10
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    Stupot10 Active Member

    I just returned from the phil on Sunday after having been to be with my fiancée for 2 weeks. She wouldn't let me continue the plans we originally made as I was going to her place in Mindanao. As far as she is concerned it is to dangerous in some parts of Mindanao especially her area for foreigners to visit.
  3. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    So, in the end, you decided not to go to Mindanao and instead went elsewhere?
  4. Stupot10
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    Stupot10 Active Member

    Yeah we went to lagazpi and spent time there instead.
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  5. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    We have several European friends living in Davao and also down the coast in Digos with whom we keep in contact. The imposition of Martial Law doesn't and shouldn't really affect Caucasian residents or visitors, in fact you're safer now than before the declaration. The authorities will stop and question anyone who looks out of place such as a Filipino or Indonesian behaving suspiciously. Even with Martial Law, there is no need carry your Passport with you, permanent residents and longstay visitors are issued with official Identity Cards. The only officials who can legally require you to produce your Passport work for the Department of Justice in the Immigration Department and they must identify themselves to you as such (that is official advice from the DoJ).

    I'm told that tourist attractions and resorts on Samal and in and around Davao are perfectly safe to visit but you may encounter Police or Army checkpoints enroute to or from. It would probably not be a good idea to ride any of the trans-Mindanao buses or the Davao City-Manila bus whilst Martial Law is in effect. And it's less of a good plan to visit Cotobato, Zamboanga, General Santos or anywhere west of a line drawn between Cagayan de Oro and Davao; The CdO - Davao highway via Malaybalay and Valencia has several checkpoints.

    Keep calm and carry-on!
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  6. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    We just returned from Davao. Happy to report it's business as usual. I didn't see or feel any reason to be alarmed. The usual metal detectors at mall entrances, hotels etc., but nothing out of the ordinary. I didn't carry my passport at all and was never asked for it. I have always been made to feel welcome there, which isn't the case everywhere in Fils. Note, I dint travel outside of Davao City so cannot comment on other areas in Mindanao.
    As an aside, I was able to apply for a permanent electrical connection to the house that I just built there and had the connection made the following morning.
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  7. Maley
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    Maley Well-Known Member

    I think @Stupot10's lady is less than an hour away from Marawi so going there is out of the question.

    My family is in cotabato and its business as usual. Travel to and from davao via land transport is as usual. Flights are as normal as well. No one was asked to produce ID at any point but if course common sense approach is in place.

    My hometown has a direct land travel route to marawi so as a precaution no super late night parties (i mean after 10 pm onwards), no night travels to battle-prone areas. As far as they know, foreigners working for un (unhcr, unicef etc) and aid org are still on the field. We have seen more serious stuff than the current one and national govt werent paying attention to it. the locals think its over reaction to media reports.
    • Informative Informative x 2
  8. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    If they're X-Raying stuff at the entrance of the Marco Polo, that's an excellent indicator of heightened security in the city!
  9. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    Stayed at Marco Polo several times over past 3 years and they have always had security checks at the entrance since I have been staying there, so no, I don't think it's a sign of heightened security, just the normal security checks. Most times the sniffer dog can't be bothered to get off its ass and come over to join in, so not very strict at all lol.
  10. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    I see that one of the country's largest festivals, Kadayawan, which takes place in Davao each August has not been cancelled. It draws performers, contestants and audiences from all over the Philippines including the Muslim areas (and especially Marawi) so that may be indicative of a relaxation of Martial Law.
  11. DJB
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    DJB Active Member

    My Girl is from Tupi sort of halfway between General Santos and Koronadal City. She says apart from the increased military/police presence and checkpoints all is well.

    Theres always been a military checkpoint on the Pan Philippine highway before you get into Koronadal and one in the opposite direction going in to Gen Santos.

    All the times I have been stopped at these, the Police/Military have been very courteous and polite with no hassle from them whatsoever.
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  12. john jones
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    john jones Active Member

    I was in Mindanao when the Martial law was declared. The Army checkpoint on the pan American highway heading south out of Davao city towards General Santos was a little more thorough in making sure all got out of the coach where normally they would leave the elderly people stay on. I saw a minibus at Davao airport marked'Philippine Navy' I saw no extra presence of security at the airport and assumed the minibus may have been waiting for soldiers to transport elsewhere. I'm due to go again in November and unless I'm turned away by the Army or authorities then nothing will stop me seeing my better half.
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  13. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    That's the checkpoint at the southwest boundary of the city just before you enter Digos, I assume. I was told earlier today that a similar checkpoint on the main highway north (towards Valencia and Cagayan de Oro) is very busy and there may be lengthy delays due to vehicles being checked far more carefully than normal.
  14. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    You just be careful.
    Don't argue or be seen to argue.. yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir, kind of thing.
    Always carry a few spare 100 piso notes

    Want to see you again in Brum Barrio, with Mrs, in one piece preferably...
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  15. Bootsonground
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    Bootsonground Guest

    Don`t insult em with 100 Peso notes...It`s not the 80`s anymore!
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    • Funny Funny x 1
  16. DJB
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    DJB Active Member

    And don't take any guns with you (ahem)

    Its me Ak47 Bro, just got to bigger it!

    received_1345650042178817.jpeg
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  17. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Yeah probably best to have the blue ones with the extra zero :)
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  18. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    I always carry this for emergencys

    zimbabwe.jpeg
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  19. uklove
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    uklove Active Member

    My Mrs and myself travelled from Butuan to Bislig in mid-June. There were six military checkpoints going south. They added an extra hour to the journey. Just one checkpoint coming back.
    No hassle at Butuan airport.
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  20. CampelloChris
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    CampelloChris Well-Known Member

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