travel warnings

[B_J 2,752]

I'm in no way an expert, but I spent about 6 weeks in Mindanao this summer; almost all of it around the Butuan area.

I felt safe at all times but keep in mind that I was always with other people. And since you aren't going to be in the "bad" areas, I would guess you'll be pretty safe. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Enjoy your trip.

[gary9891 10]

Davao City is beautiful & safe. Enjoy! :thumbs:

Amen Davao City!

I have traveled to Mindanao 4 times with no problems. Having said this, I took extra precautions like many have suggested. Be constantly aware of your surroundings, low profile and keep to the busy areas to shop etc.

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

i will land in butuan head to bus station and head towards mangagoy, bislig area, its the bus ride that bothers me, i can handle myself on foot and read peoples body language etc. but the bus will go where it will go... maybe i just worry too much.

I am not exactly sure of your locations because looking on a map Bislig in Mindanao and Mangagay are fairly far apart. If your destination is in Mangagoy area you will be very near Cotabato City and there has been numerous problems with MILF there in the past. The map I looked at showed Bislig near Davao City area. I can not find an airport called Butuan in Mindanao but have heard of a city called Butuan . Needless to say I am confused at this point to help you further. However the warnings the US State Dept puts out are usually way over exaggerated. I believe the warnings are to scare people from going anywhere is Mindanao. Here is a report from the Philippine Government put out yesterday based upon the US State Dept.'s latest warning of traveling to the Philippines:

Aquino to ask for reconsideration of travel advisories

President Benigno Aquino III will discuss with several foreign leaders their concerns on the safety of their citizens in the Philippines when he attends the 18th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Japan next week.

In a media interview in Malacanang on Friday, the President said the government has been communicating with the embassies of the Unites States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and France which have issued travel advisories warning their respective citizens of possible terror plots in several areas in Mindanao including Metro Manila.

The President said the Philippines will request in the most diplomatic way for a reconsideration of such advisories particularly if there is no concrete basis.

The President said the issue could be raised with the foreign leaders when he attends the 18th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Yokohama, Japan slated on Nov. 12-15.

“We will be meeting with a lot of them for the APEC visit by next week,†the President said.

As it is, he said the Philippines does not consider the matter lightly and government security forces are now preemptively monitoring the possible entry of terrorists including linkage with domestic terror groups “to prevent them from carrying out any plans.â€

The six foreign embassies issued their travel advisories this week after an alleged “cargo bomb" from Yemen destined to the United States was foiled last week and triggered fears that the terrorist group al-Qaida was launching another terror campaign.

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

I am not exactly sure of your locations because looking on a map Bislig in Mindanao and Mangagay are fairly far apart. If your destination is in Mangagoy area you will be very near Cotabato City and there has been numerous problems with MILF there in the past. The map I looked at showed Bislig near Davao City area. I can not find an airport called Butuan in Mindanao but have heard of a city called Butuan . Needless to say I am confused at this point to help you further. However the warnings the US State Dept puts out are usually way over exaggerated. I believe the warnings are to scare people from going anywhere is Mindanao. Here is a report from the Philippine Government put out yesterday based upon the US State Dept.'s latest warning of traveling to the Philippines:

Aquino to ask for reconsideration of travel advisories

President Benigno Aquino III will discuss with several foreign leaders their concerns on the safety of their citizens in the Philippines when he attends the 18th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Japan next week.

In a media interview in Malacanang on Friday, the President said the government has been communicating with the embassies of the Unites States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and France which have issued travel advisories warning their respective citizens of possible terror plots in several areas in Mindanao including Metro Manila.

The President said the Philippines will request in the most diplomatic way for a reconsideration of such advisories particularly if there is no concrete basis.

The President said the issue could be raised with the foreign leaders when he attends the 18th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Yokohama, Japan slated on Nov. 12-15.

“We will be meeting with a lot of them for the APEC visit by next week,†the President said.

As it is, he said the Philippines does not consider the matter lightly and government security forces are now preemptively monitoring the possible entry of terrorists including linkage with domestic terror groups “to prevent them from carrying out any plans.â€

The six foreign embassies issued their travel advisories this week after an alleged “cargo bomb" from Yemen destined to the United States was foiled last week and triggered fears that the terrorist group al-Qaida was launching another terror campaign.

I just pulled up another may with more detail of Mindanao and see exactly where you will arrive and travel to. I would feel safe in any place of that area of Mindanao. As far as the long bus ride, I would feel a little unesay if I tarveled anywhere in the Phils myself that distance myself and I would ask my wife to send a few of her brothers to meet me at the Butuan bus station to travel with me. It appears as if there could be some rural areas for the buss to travel through. Maybe there is a closer bus airport than Butuan to cut the travel time shorter?

[MikelanNida 28]

I just pulled up another may with more detail of Mindanao and see exactly where you will arrive and travel to. I would feel safe in any place of that area of Mindanao. As far as the long bus ride, I would feel a little unesay if I tarveled anywhere in the Phils myself that distance myself and I would ask my wife to send a few of her brothers to meet me at the Butuan bus station to travel with me. It appears as if there could be some rural areas for the buss to travel through. Maybe there is a closer bus airport than Butuan to cut the travel time shorter?

thanks alot for your advice, and i will clarifymy prior statements, i am going to bislig, mangagoy is the barangay within bislig i will be going to, and so far as i know butuan city has the nearest airport, so i will be landing there and getting on the bus there as well, and also no brothers there to meet me, Nida told me it is a 5 hour ride, so we spoke lately of another possible mode of transportation. I thank you for your help.

[jwk2003 3]

I just pulled up another may with more detail of Mindanao and see exactly where you will arrive and travel to. I would feel safe in any place of that area of Mindanao. As far as the long bus ride, I would feel a little unesay if I tarveled anywhere in the Phils myself that distance myself and I would ask my wife to send a few of her brothers to meet me at the Butuan bus station to travel with me. It appears as if there could be some rural areas for the buss to travel through. Maybe there is a closer bus airport than Butuan to cut the travel time shorter?

For reference:

Travel.State.Gov Link

[Atencio 43]

As I mentioned earlier don't get too hung up on just MILF. NPA has been known to cause trouble outside of Butuan proper as well as Bislig.