How do you guys protect your homes

[seram]

I hope this post is appropriate..

I will be building in Zamboanga City so I am going to have to take extra precautions. I don't intend to live there 12 months of the year but most likely 6 to 9 months and then visit my expat friends in Olongapo and Angeles.

My asawa's sister will look after the house while I am gone..

Just wondering what you guys do to maybe make it a bit safer living in the Phils..regards

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by seram

I hope this post is appropriate..

I will be building in Zamboanga City so I am going to have to take extra precautions. I don't intend to live there 12 months of the year but most likely 6 to 9 months and then visit my expat friends in Olongapo and Angeles.

My asawa's sister will look after the house while I am gone..

Just wondering what you guys do to maybe make it a bit safer living in the Phils..regards

In all honesty, the first thing to do is NOT live anywhere in Mindanao. To say that area of the Philippines is dangerous would be a gross understatement.
There are those who will disagree with me and thats fine. But most every country in the world has a travel advisory to not go there and for good reason.
US government employees and those working at embassy in Manila must get permission to even go there.
Aside from that, take time and learn the culture when here. Don't eat or drink anything someone offers unless your wife thinks it's okay to do so. Never get into a card game with a Filipino. They are poor loosers.
Try to just enjoy and follow your wifes lead in most things till you have a good understanding of life here.

Gene

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

In all honesty, the first thing to do is NOT live anywhere in Mindanao. To say that area of the Philippines is dangerous would be a gross understatement.
There are those who will disagree with me and thats fine. But most every country in the world has a travel advisory to not go there and for good reason.
US government employees and those working at embassy in Manila must get permission to even go there.
Aside from that, take time and learn the culture when here. Don't eat or drink anything someone offers unless your wife thinks it's okay to do so. Never get into a card game with a Filipino. They are poor loosers.
Try to just enjoy and follow your wifes lead in most things till you have a good understanding of life here.

Gene

This is a current news story to highlight my reasoning on not traveling to or living in Mindanao...

MANILA, Philippines—The Italian Embassy in Makati City has advised anew its 1,010 nationals in the country—including 250 to 300 Catholic priests and nuns—to avoid traveling to Mindanao, which it calls a “red area.”
Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari on Tuesday said the embassy “has repeatedly suggested to Italians who are based here not to travel to Mindanao” due to the not so ideal peace and order situation in the region.
“Mindanao has always been a red area, as far as we’re concerned. We have repeatedly issued a maximum warning for them not to go there. Unfortunately...

Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/156...el-to-mindanao
source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

[seram]

Thank you for advice Gene...

So many people advise foreigners not to go to Zamboanga City but when you look at the amount of foreigners being killed around Angeles City I think that maybe care should be taken through-out all of the Phils.

I have been traveling to Zamboanga City now for over 10 years, staying at a hotel of-course. I have already bought the lot and will commence building next March.

regards

[rj.uk]

Living in a hotel while you go visit was fine. Building a house sorts of marks you as having money. hopefully you're building in an area where your wife's family is well known and quite a close community as this will be to your advantage when you are away.

[Mike17]

I bought a couple of door sensor contact alarms. Once "armed" and the contact is broken by opening the door a 130 db alarm starts screaming. Small investment to know if someone uninvited is coming in.

[Gene and Viol]

News, source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

200 armed men storm Zamboanga Sibugay village, says mayor



ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Some 200 armed men stormed Talusan village in Olutangga, Zamboanga Sibugay around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, town Mayor Joel Caputolan said.
Caputolan said the armed men occupied the Samonte Elementary School there.
He said militiamen have monitored the arrival of the armed men—whose identities were still being ascertained—but because they were outnumbered, they decided to fall back towards Kawilan village.
It was not immediately known if the armed men are still occupying the school as of this writing, according to Caputolan.
Another report, which could not be independently confirmed, said an undetermined number of armed men also landed in the shoreline of Migpulao village in Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.
Mayor Aldwin Alibutdan of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, said “all people in Sibugay are living in fear.”
The fresh incidents came in the wake of a claim by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that the military dropped bombs and shelled their camps in Payao town, also in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The military air strike and artillery shelling followed Thursday night’s ambushes, Alicia and Kabasalan towns, in which seven government men – four soldiers and three policemen—were killed and left eight others injured.

Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.

[artw]

I totally disagree with Gene saying not to live anywhere in Mindanao. There are several areas that are very safe. Yes, of course there are a lot of fighting between the government and the rebels on the island. I live there in tagum and no problems. Davao is one of the safest cities in all of the Philippines. I do agree an expat should not build a real expensive house anywhere in the Phils. That does make you stand out. Actually, most expats are just renting. I rent myself.

Art

[bundyrum]

Hi All.I have just been reading how unsafe it is to visit Mindanao. I have been to Davao & Samal & had no problems My Asawa informs that Cotabato is probably the best area to avoid as it is extremely unsafe for foreigners.
Can someone tell if it is safe to visit Cagayan De Oro unacompanied please. Thanks. John

[seram]

Originally Posted by Mike17

I bought a couple of door sensor contact alarms. Once "armed" and the contact is broken by opening the door a 130 db alarm starts screaming. Small investment to know if someone uninvited is coming in.

Thanks Mike..That was the type of answer I was looking for.. The decision to build there has already been decided and the lot already bought. 300 square mtr..

So Mike other then door alarms do u guys use cameras or dogs etc etc...


Most of the kidnappings and bombings happen in the islands south of Zambo but Zamboanga City usually gets the headline..cheers