Why is mindanao dangerous

They have used occasions such as religious holidays and sporting events, and public celebrations to mount attacks. Terrorist attacks are far more frequent in Western Mindanao, where government forces and rebel groups frequently clash. There is a threat of kidnapping across the country, especially in the southern islands. Kidnappings are conducted by both terrorist and rebel groups.

They may also be opportunistic. Kidnappers have targeted foreigners, including Canadians. Some abductions have ended in execution after a long period of harsh treatment.

Kidnappers are most active in coastal areas where they target individuals on private boats, in marinas and resorts. Although local authorities have reported a decrease in crime rates for a few consecutive years, criminality remains a serious concern throughout the country. The security situation in the Philippines has suffered from the war on drugs initiated by the local government in Gunfights between security forces and criminals are frequent, and bystanders are often caught in such incidents.

Militant and rebel groups are active, in particular in northern and central Luzon, as well as in the islands of:. Gangs are also active in Manila, including in the central business district of Makati and the Tondo port area. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, sexual assault, and murder, occur regularly. The possession of guns and other weapons is common and poorly regulated. Criminals have attacked foreigners. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, swarming and bag snatching, occurs, especially in urban areas.

Some criminals have drugged and robbed tourists travelling alone after an invitation to visit a tourist attraction. Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs frequently. More about overseas fraud. Internet is frequently used to initiate financial scams. Scammers often use fake profiles to target Westerners and steal from them. Once they succeed in building a virtual relationship, they ask for money for various purposes.

This could include business or financial opportunities such as:. Internet romance is also common. Victims of this type of scams have lost thousands of dollars. Before travelling to the Philippines to visit someone you met online:. Locals with children may befriend single male tourists and then accuse them of child abuse to extort money from them. Safe-travel guide for women. Demonstrations take place regularly, including in Manila. Clashes often occur between security forces and demonstrators, especially in Mindanao and remote areas of northern Luzon.

Filipino law prohibits political activities by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations may result in being detained or deported. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Most of the time, lifeguards are not present to supervise swimmers. Road conditions are poor throughout the country. Most roads, including major highways, are poorly maintained, and traffic is congested. They are extremely reckless.

They often drive at excessive speeds or way below the speed limit on highways. Accidents causing fatalities are common. Driving conditions are hazardous at all times. During the rainy season, metro centres may become impassable due to flash floods. Minibuses, known as jeepneys, and large buses are often old, poorly maintained, and overcrowded. Pickpocketing and armed robberies are frequent, especially in large cities such as Manila and Cebu. Motorcycle transportation is prevalent throughout the country, whether by habal-habal or tricycle.

Habal-habal are motorcycles with extensions, which can carry several passengers at a time. They are illegal and dangerous. However, vehicles may be in poor condition. Although most taxi services are safe and reliable, there have been extortion incidents from taxi drivers. Ferry accidents occur. Some vessels are poorly maintained and overcrowded. Accidents are more prevalent during the rainy season as storms can develop quickly. As a result, local authorities may suspend ferry services on short notice when a storm signal is raised, even if the weather is clear.

You could get stranded at ports for several days. Pirate attacks and armed robbery targeting ships occur in coastal waters. You may face an elevated threat of kidnapping in waters:. Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau. We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards. General information about foreign domestic airlines.

Most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territory due to COVID Before travelling, verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any restrictions or requirements related to this situation. Consider even your transit points, as transit rules are in place in many destinations.

This could disrupt your travel. Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. We have obtained the information on this page from the Philippine authorities. It can, however, change at any time. Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada. Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Official travel. Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document.

Before you leave, check with the closest diplomatic mission for your destination. Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days Business visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days Student visa: required. If you need to extend your stay above the day visa-free period, you must require the proper authorization from local authorities before this period ends. The visa that immigration officials issue upon your arrival in the Philippines takes precedence over any visa you may have obtained from a Philippine embassy or consulate abroad.

Bureau of Immigration — Republic of the Philippines. Foreign nationals staying in the Philippines for longer than 59 days must register with the local authorities. You must present yourself to a Bureau of Immigration office to register your biometrics, such as fingerprinting, and obtain a special security registration number. Bureau of Immigration offices — Republic of the Philippines.

Foreign nationals travelling on a visa issued by one of the following authorities must present a travel pass to leave the country:. Travel pass — Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines. This also applies to children born in the Philippines who are leaving the country for the first time on a foreign passport.

Emigration clearance certificate — Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines. You may be subject to a body temperature check when entering the Philippines.

This may result in isolation and treatment. Children under 15 years travelling alone need a Waiver for Exclusion Ground to enter the Philippines. Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever vaccines section. Be sure that your routine vaccines , as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination. Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella MMR , diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella chickenpox , influenza and others.

You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health professional about which ones are right for you. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver spread through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person.

All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated. Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed e. Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics.

Influenza flu is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.

Get the flu shot. Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain. It is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is low for most travellers. Vaccination should be considered for those who may be exposed to mosquito bites e. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Polio can be prevented by vaccination, which is part of the routine vaccines for children in Canada. Rabies is a deadly illness spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from an infected animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure e.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection. About Yellow Fever. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination s you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food. In some areas in Southeast Asia, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera , hepatitis A , schistosomiasis and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in Southeast Asia. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk. To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions. Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional. Schistosomiasis can be spread to humans through freshwater sources contaminated by blood flukes tiny worms.

The eggs of the worms can cause stomach illnesses like diarrhea and cramps or urinary problems. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Avoid swimming in freshwater sources lakes, rivers, ponds. There is no vaccine available for schistosomiasis. Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Additionally, exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. There are restrictions in place affecting U. Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. Read the country information page. Terrorist and armed groups continue to conduct kidnappings on land and at sea for ransom, bombings, and other attacks targeting U.

The U. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Civilians are at risk of death or injury due to conflict between remnants of terrorist groups and Philippine security forces in Marawi. The Philippine government maintains a state of emergency and greater police presence in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces. Terrorist and armed groups continue to conduct kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting U.

The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be found here. You are about to leave travel. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U. Department of State of the views or products contained therein.

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