The Philippines Travel Advice

Threat level: Medium-High

COVID-19 Situation in the Philippines

There are reported cases of the coronavirus in the Philippines. To curb the spread of the virus, a series of measures have been introduced which differ across the country. Some regions, provinces and cities have enforced General Community Quarantine (GCQ) rules (Metro Manila, Cordillera, Batangas, Davao del Norte, Tacloban, Davao City and Iligan); the rest of the country is under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) rules. An evening curfew is in place in Metro Manila from 22:00 to 04:00 (except in Navotas City where curfew is between 20:00 and 04:00). Entry in the Philippines is banned to foreign travellers. Facemasks are mandatory on public and private transport, as well as on aircraft. To avoid contracting the disease, apply good hygiene practices, maintain social distancing, avoid unnecessary gatherings and unnecessary travel.

Security Situation in the Philipinnes

The current travel advice for the Philippines is to remain vigilant, especially when using transport services and visiting tourist attractions in the country.

The Philippines is currently at its highest level of threat from terrorism throughout the country. Terrorist groups such as The New People’s Army (NPA), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), continue to plan attacks. These groups have the capabilities and the motivation to carry out attacks at anytime and anywhere in the Philippines. Attacks are most likely to be indiscriminate, including places that are often visited by foreign travellers like airports, hotels, tourist coaches and other tourist attractions in the country.

Intelligent Protection International Limited provides its corporate and private clients with Security and Bodyguard services in the Philippines. If you are interested in these services, please see oue page: Bodyguard services in the Philippines.

2019 has seen a rise in terrorist activity in the Philippines.

In early August 2019, intelligence triggered a memo that was later leaked, describing a credible threat of bombings in, but not limited to Laoag City; Vigan City; Manaoag, Pangasinan; Tuguegarao City.

This comes after security officials confirmed in late July 2019, that at least seven foreign terrorists were training local militants for suicide attacks in the country's south, warning that there could be many more.

The foreign terrorists are said to be behind the bombing in Sulu province that killed three civilians and three soldiers. This is said to the first-ever suicide attack carried out by a Filipino.

It is understood that there are now Islamic terrorist strongholds in in the island provinces of Sulu and Basilan and in in central Mindanao.

There’s a particular threat in the southern Philippines of getting kidnapped by terrorist groups and other criminals alike. Areas in which kidnapping cases often occur include the island of Mindanao, as well as the Sulu archipelago, scuba diving sites, and other tourist activity hotspots. Foreign tourists have been targeted in both rural and urban areas. There are also isolated cases of kidnappings occurring on private boats and in marinas.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on the Philippine military and police. This includes military bases and police checkpoints.

The Philippines has a severe ongoing drugs problem that affects the whole country. Nearly six thousand people have been killed in the second half of 2016 alone. President Rodrigo Duterte has promised a crackdown on the war on drugs and a stricter approach to how dealers and users are prosecuted.

Sunday the 27th of January 2019, saw a double bombing at the Jolo Catholic cathedral in the Mindanao region. 20 people were killed in the incident and 102 people were wounded. The first explosive device went off inside the cathedral, and the second targeted nearby soldiers who rushed to help the victims of the first explosion. The Mindanao region has been plagued with violence between Muslims and Christians for decades, yet no terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility.

On the 31st of December 2018, a bomb exploded outside the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City on the island of Mindanao. The blast killed two and injured 23 people. A second device was also discovered in the Mall, but this device failed to detonate.

On the 31st of July 2018, a car bomb exploded in Lamitan in a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment, killing 10 people.

On the 27th of February 2017, a German national, Jurgen Gustav Kantner, is believed to have been executed on camera by the Islamic state operating in the Philippines. Authorities are still confirming whether or not the video is legitimate.

Canadian Journalist, John Bramwell Ridsdel, was kidnapped by Islamic state operating in the Philippines on September 21, 2015, in a raid on Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort, on Samal Island in the south of the Philippines. After the terrorists overthrew the hotel security guards, they abducted Mr. Ridsdel from the resort. He was later executed on the 25th of April 2016, after his ransom was not paid.

In September 2016, an improvised explosive device detonated outside of the Marco Polo hotel in the Philippines southern city of Davao. 14 people were killed and many others wounded. Mr Duterte has declared a "state of lawlessness" following this particular incident, which means the military will be allowed to patrol the city assisting the local police.

In 2014, a bus bombing occurred in Bukidnon located in the Northern Mindanao region; the bomb hit a public bus inside the main front entrance of Central Mindanao University. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were the number one suspects of the attack, but Philippine authorities say that they never took responsibility for it.

There is a high rate of serious street crime and robbery in all areas of the Philippines. The best travel advice for the Philippines is that you should take the right precautions in order to ensure that you have a trouble-free trip. It is highly advisable that when you arrive in the Philippines, you arrange to be met at the airport or use your hotels transfer service. You should be wary of what taxis you use and ensure that you are confident they are a legitimate taxi firm. You can find out this information either online or through your hotel. There have been multiple cases in recent years of taxi drivers and their partners (also known as fixers in the Philippines) mugging and assaulting their unsuspecting passengers.

Avoid displaying money or other valuables. Also be cautious of strangers offering drinks both at day and night. They may be spiked; this is a common kidnap tactic used in the Philippines.

The Philippines' international relationships are mostly ties to Southeast Asian neighbours, United States, and the Middle East. Relations with other neighbouring Asian nations have been present in recent history. Japan has built a strong relation with the Philippines, which has been due to active support in regards to aid, it has now closed ties with the country. Relations with China have recently been economically strengthened.

When travelling outside of the main cities in the Philippines, you should seek advice from local contacts or online and always let a friend or relative know where you plan to travel next. The security risk of travelling by public transport has been rated high and there has been a number of robberies and muggings.

Avoid travel to the following places at all costs, as suggested by the Filipino authorities: Jolo, Bongao, Isabela, Ipil, Pagadian, Tubod, Marawi Mindanao, Kidapawan, Sharif Aguak, Isulan, Koronadal and Alabel.

The Philippines regularly suffers large earthquakes of a magnitude of 5-7, the worse in recent history was the 2013 Bohol earthquake, that killed an estimated 220 people and injured a 1000 or so people. The worse recorded earthquake in the Philippines was the 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake that claimed an estimated 5,000-7,000, injuring almost 10,000 people. This was a magnitude 7.9 earthquake, one of the largest the Philippines has seen.

The Philippines are prone volcanic activity, although all volcanic risks are closely monitored.

The Philippines is located within the Pacific typhoon belt, and as such, the Philippines sees an average of 20 typhoons each year, with around a quarter of these being classed as destructive.

The typhoon season in the Philippines is between June and November, but typhoons can occur outside of the typhoon season.

Typhoon are very disruptive to daily life, affecting road conditions and affecting air traffic. Obviously, the resulting flooding can have wider effects as can landslides caused by heavy rains.

Advice to travellers is to monitor local news and check the weather forecast prior and during your visit.

General emergency: 117

Official languages: Filipino and English
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Currency: Filipino Peso
Time now in Manila:

U.S. Embassy Dhaka
1201 Roxas Blvd,
Ermita,
Manila,
Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 301 2000
Email:consmanilaniv@state.gov

British Embassy Manila
120 Upper McKinley Rd,
Baridhara
Taguig,
Manila,
Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 858 22009
Email: ukinthephilippines@fco.gov.uk

Most tourists can enter the Philippines without a visa for an initial period of 30 days but check with your nearest Philippine Embassy before travel. You can also get a tourist visa from the Philippine Embassy before you travel, which will allow up to a 59-day stay.

It is advised that visitors to Philippines are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. You should ensure that you have been further vaccinated against diseases such as Tetanus, which is usually administered when you are a young baby. You may also want to consider Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. Your doctor should be able to give you more information.

Although there is no direct risk of Yellow Fever in Philippines, if you are coming from a country where there is a risk of the disease, or transiting for longer than 12 hours in an at risk country, you will be required to provide a vaccination certificate. Check with your local health professional prior to travel if you are unsure.

Food and waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhoea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever, the water contact disease leptospirosis has been known and dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations.

It is highly recommended full travel and medical insurance is checked for coverage prior to travel, as the medical facilities in the country can vary. Personal hygiene must be paramount, the local water supply avoided and bottled water inspected prior to consumption.