Avoid Crime in Philippines

Crime in The Philippines

Avoid Criminals in the Philippines

Setups in hotel rooms - legal age lady invites an underage girl to the room (a "sister," "cousin," etc.) - next thing you know a police officer will be at the door. You will need an attorney!

Pickpockets in malls, in jeepneys, on sidewalks, in crowds.

Robbery at gunpoint - stay alert.

Be careful where you walk at night.

Ask someone where not to walk (eg. a security guard or a desk clerk at your hotel.)

Snatchers - will grab the necklace off your girl's neck and run.

Someone tries to befriend you - "Hey Joe, I've been to the US also..." - don't answer, just keep walking.

Someone tries to sell you a gun - it is illegal for foreigners to own guns - see self defense in the Philippines.

Be especially alert in bus stations.

On the bus, sit near the front of the bus so that you can make a hasty exit if armed robbers get on the bus and start demanding money (advice from a police officer.)

The two locks shown above will adjust to fit different inswing doors.

Carry some kind of traveler's security door lock to use when staying in hotel rooms. Try it when you preview the room. Make sure it fits the door before you check in.

On two occasions someone has tried to get into my hotel room in the Philippines. One time, at a cheap hotel in Batangas, the person used a tool, which left marks on the door and door frame, while we were sleeping. In the morning I noticed a lot of pry marks and it was hard to open the door. The other time, at the Mariche Apartelle in Cavite (across from SM Bacoor Mall), we were awake and heard someone trying our door. Both times I had inserted a steel lock like the one in the second image. It foiled both attempts to get in.

If you would like to order a lock, like the one I use, contact me. This lock works on doors which swing into the room.

Here is an idea for a makeshift lock made out of a common dinner fork. It does not appear very secure, but it looks like it would make some noise if entry was attempted, and it would provide more security than no lock at all.

Avoid Criminals. DO NOT do the following:

Do not wear gold jewelry in the Philippines.
Do not wear diamond rings in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive glasses in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive watches in the Philippines.
Do not display expensive cell phones or tablets.
Do not drive expensive cars in the Philippines.
Do not carry a lot of cash.
Do not hire taxicabs that have no signs on the doors or on the windowsills inside the car.
Do not walk on dark streets.
Do not be a belligerent, overbearing, bossy foreigner.

Never call anyone "stupid" if you value your life.
Always be "nice" and respectful.

Maintain a low profile as much as possible.
However, all Anglos are considered "rich" by the majority of Filipinos. In fact, all foreigners are considered rich.

Do not buy gold jewelry or diamonds or any expensive items for your Filipino girlfriend. Unless she is rich by Philippine standards, she or some member of her family will probably eventually pawn them (if they have not already been stolen from her by a stranger, "friend" or family member.) Save these purchases for after you are married. Keep in mind she may be a scammer.

This is not a complete list of tips but it should be helpful. Will add more later.

Be alert and have a good time in the Philippines.

Have you been a victim of a break in, a snatcher or a pickpocket? Or do you have ideas regarding security? Please share your experience or suggestions with other readers by making a comment below.

Update Sept. 25, 2015: Abduction close to Davao on the island of Mindanao. Read a startling and enlightening news report about it here. 

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about crime in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

Home Security Philippines

Security Systems

Home Security in the Philippines

Many homes and apartments are fitted with window units wherein the bars are an integral part of the window unit and the swinging windows. These are cemented into the casement very securely. In essence, when you open the windows, the openings are still protected by a grid of bars on the inside.

Steel window unit with integral bars.

Most homes and apartments in the Philippines have steel or iron bars covering their windows. The bars are welded to a steel or iron frame around them. Then the bar unit is screwed or bolted into the window casement.

Window bars mounted in the casement.

Some window bars are mounted outside the casement.

Window bars mounted outside the window opening.

Some window bars are made of re-bar as are some security fences and gates. Some are fancier wrought iron.

Many apartments, homes, and townhouses have gated car parks.

Gated parking areas at townhouses.

You can purchase some inexpensive home security devices like what you find at Ace Hardware of the USA. Ace Hardware . Many Philippines stores are located in malls.

At Ace Hardware you may find smoke detectors, carbon  monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, window bars and more.

Ask around and you can find metal workers who can make security window bars and gates for your property.

Of course, some of these products are also found at other hardware stores in malls.

You can find electronics stores in malls that sell more complete home security systems which include CCTV cameras, sensors, alarms, and DVD's.

10 Ways To Secure Your Home in the Philippines

Shopping malls and many stores in the Philippines have uniformed armed guards at the entrances and inside stores.

Security guards at mall entrances.

Want to do it yourself and save money? Read "How to install a home security system." It details how to install a kit system using door sensors, window sensors and fire sensors.

Read my article about self defense in the Philippines.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about  home security and security systems in the Philippines. This page last updated April 28, 2022.

Pickpockets Philippines

Pickpockets in the Philippines

Watch out, pickpockets are everywhere! The human type steals the most.

Pickpockets on jeepneys in the Philippines

On two occasions I have been the victim of pick pockets who failed in their attempts to rob me while riding in jeepneys.

The first time the pickpocket had already emptied my wallet and pushed the money and credit cards under the bench. I finally realized that he was trying to rob me and I grabbed his wrist and raised his hand quickly in the air and held it there while I repeatedly tapped the driver on the shoulder and told him several times "a guy is trying to rob me." The driver totally ignored my taps and repeated statements. Apparently the pickpocket was in cahoots with the driver who would retrieve the loot when he parked the jeepney at the jeepney terminal at SM Clark City Mall (near the old Clark Field Base).

This young pickpocket and an old man were working as a team. The young man was dressed in a t-shirt with bold blue and white horizontal stripes and looked like a rather wealthy college student. The "student" dropped some coins as he was handing them to me to pass to the driver. The old, unkempt, man across from me extended his leg and tried to "retrieve" the coin from under the bench I was sitting on. He kept up his foot action to distract me while the pickpocket was emptying my wallet. Fortunately my action prompted the two of them to hurriedly get off the jeepney at the next stop.

After the pickpocket team left the jeepney, a young lady, who had witnessed the whole thing, told me that my stuff was under the bench. I thanked her and bent over and recovered my stuff from under the seat. It was all there, including my credit cards and about 2,000 pesos of paper money.

You will be squeezed into a spot on one of the benches in a jeepney. Do not carry a lot of money. Keep your bag at your chest and keep a hand on it. Be very aware of who sits next to you.

The second time I was in a jeepney on Fields Avenue in the Balibago section of Angeles City. He climbed in and sat close to me. I happened to look down at my shoulder bag and noticed some sales receipts sticking out of the unzipped pocket (a zipper that I always keep zipped closed). He had a jacket over his arm and was still very close to me. I pushed him rather gently with my elbow and he didn't move away. I gently pushed about 3 more times and he still never moved further away. Finally he apparently gave up and got out when the jeepney stopped to let another passenger off. You should have seen the way he looked when he was walking toward the sidewalk. His face was totally scrunched up in disgust. Foiled again! After he had left another passenger let me know that she had indeed seen the activity but was too scared to say anything at the time.

I don't know how often actions similar to mine end of with an American getting stabbed or shot. But I am glad that nothing worse happened to me.

To learn about how to protect yourself from pickpockets read this wikitravel article.

Even "lofty" politicians are not immune to someone taking the watch right off their wrist while they are shaking hands in a crowd! And, they are surrounded by bodyguards.

Most Filipinos are Honest

To be fair to Filipinos, there have been more than a few occasions when I have dropped money while in line at fast food restaurants in the Philippines or dropped my hat while riding in a jeepney. Each time a Filipino has tapped me on the arm or shoulder and let me know about it. Of course I thanked them profusely. The vast majority of Filipinos are scrupulously honest and very pleasant people.

Read about the Most Common Crimes in the Philippines. Learn how to avoid being a victim.

Read what the US State Department has to say about threats to your safety and security in the Philippines.

If you have had experiences with pickpockets in the Philippines please share with my readers by making comments below.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about pickpockets and crime in the Philippines. Last updated June 4, 2022.