Makati

[Froggie58]

My first bribe in the country!

Good thing this is purely hypothetical as paying a bribe to a government official is against both Philippine and US law. .

[Drbombay]

Still happens in Thailand. A couple of years ago a buddy of mine was called (retired military, speaks Thai, has lived there 35 years) in the middle of the night to come mediate between a high ranking Thai military guy and a couple of low ranking US Marines. One Marine had met the guy's daughter online and they formed a relationship. And she hooked his buddy up with her friend. Just so happened the girls were 16. They ended up settling for $75,000, which I guess the military paid and will recoup it from the dudes.

Yeah what they will do is pay the fine, and then you owe a debt to the US Treasury. So whenever you expect to get a tax refund or anything from Uncle Sam they will take their cut first. Same thing here in Japan especially if you drive and fall under military jurisdiction. You have to buy an extra liability insurance to pay the "Gomen Nasi (I'm sorry)" to the victim. I once had a minor fender bender with a local national, police came and dude said he was ok, but then complained of shoulder and back pain. So as he was getting ready to be carted off to hospital he slung his backpack over his shoulder and the JN cop told him to take it down while I was still there (I knew enough to figure that out). Long story short, I had to go to police station fill out miles of paperwork get asked how much money I made and dude walked off with the equivalent of $20 K in insurance payouts. The prevailing sentiment by some who live in areas among a lot of military types, better to have auto accidents with them, they pay out more.

[Lost Refugee]

Yep!!

Walking back to my condo one night. Drunk off my ass and having a smoke (have since quit smoking).

Makati policeman walks up and informs me that smoking in the street is a 1,000 peso fine. Gave me 2 options.

1) Allow him to confiscate my passport to ensure I would show up at the courthouse to answer for the smoking in the street.

2) Pay the 1,000 peso "fine" on the spot - "but is no receipt ok?

When I came the first time in the Philippines I had the same thing. After less than 2 hours on the ground, me and my buddy went straight to 7/11 to buy cigarettes and beer. Had no idea that Makati it's non smoking place in the streets! The policeman saw us smoking, he said the fine is 3 k per head and to bring our passports to take our names. After a few minutes of talking he says 1 k the fine per head with no receipt. My first bribe in the country!

[Goferring]

But since he hesitated and he was already out the police station, the girl then raised it to 75,000 p. He had no choice but to pay the blackmail money.

Scam by crooked cops setting up foreigner.

It's standard practice to settle early and with the lowest rungs on the ladder. As your friends found out, dealing with the matter back at the station or with superiors NEVER works in the accused favour. A 50% markup was very fortunate. I've heard of cases where the "fine" has multiplied many times.

Enjoy. G.

[Mr Enternational]

At the time, the common practice was for a Pinoy to claim "You assaulted me" or some type of harassment that resulted in you being reported to Shore Patrol (SP) and then they would default to the natives and take you back to the base, and if you were on a ship place you in what was called "Op Hold" until your case was adjudicated. Normally that meant you were going to pay some type of fine to the aggrieved and let go.

Still happens in Thailand. A couple of years ago a buddy of mine was called (retired military, speaks Thai, has lived there 35 years) in the middle of the night to come mediate between a high ranking Thai military guy and a couple of low ranking US Marines. One Marine had met the guy's daughter online and they formed a relationship. And she hooked his buddy up with her friend. Just so happened the girls were 16. They ended up settling for $75,000, which I guess the military paid and will recoup it from the dudes.

[Bushes]

For those planning a PI trip, Google dacera vs gregorio facebook. I was not the one who met Dacera. There is a cautionary tail there.

From other thread. I am not the sharpest but I have heard others relate stories where they did not realize the danger they were in and that there was a shake down. Knock on wood, I survived my encounters.

[Sharka]

Back when we had bases in the PI when ships pulled in they would warn the crew to be very careful on being the "Ugly American" and bull dozing your way through issues. At the time, the common practice was for a Pinoy to claim "You assaulted me" or some type of harassment that resulted in you being reported to Shore Patrol (SP) and then they would default to the natives and take you back to the base, and if you were on a ship place you in what was called "Op Hold" until your case was adjudicated. Normally that meant you were going to pay some type of fine to the aggrieved and let go. Seen it happen a few times, guys get hemmed up with a girl and all of a sudden her brother or cousin comes and demands satisfaction. I suspect that doesn't much apply to the general mongerer these days since we have no bases there and for the civilian population the Embassy doesn't have the dedicated resources to deal with some of the petty arguments between adults unlike the military who always had enough people to ruin the fun, but these days if you mess up too bad down there it's straight to jail for you now.

There's no more bases in PI, but the overall shit still happens (but maybe not as frequently now).

Although the following didn't happen in Manila, the story is still relevant. I know a punter friend of mine was set up in Angeles. This happen about 4 years ago.

Girl approached him on the street and ask him if he wants company. He asked her for her age and she said 21. He was always the cautious type so even though she looked over 21, he wanted to check her ID. Official ID gave proof of age at 21.

Back to rented apt they went. He didn't even have time to take off his shirt while she sat on the chair taking off her shoes when police came knocking on the door.

Came in and said he was under arrest for having underage girl with him in the apt. He said he didn't do anything but that didn't matter as having an underage girl with a lone man without the girls guardian present was already a serious charge. He said she had ID, but cops took one quick look and said its fake.

Cops said he will be taken to police station and booked. He will spend time in jail until he gets a date with a judge to set bail,(which could take months or years), he will rot in jail until then. He will also have to pay for a lawyer.

Then cop told pulled girl aside and called the girls family. Came back and said her family will forget the matter if he gave the girl 50,000 p. He refused and they handcuffed him and took him to a car driving him to police station along with the girl. When the were outside the station, cop said last chance as once they write the official arrest report there is nothing they can do to "help" him stay out of jail as underage crime is one of the most serious offenses in PI.

He knew he couldn't win. Trying to prove his innocence still meant locked up in shithole jail for months to years. He told them he will pay the "girls family" to forget the matter. But since he hesitated and he was already out the police station, the girl then raised it to 75,000 p. He had no choice but to pay the blackmail money.

Scam by crooked cops setting up foreigner.

[Bushes]

A buddy walks into a bar for the first time. About 3 islands and 500 miles from home. He's never been there before. Orders a beer. Orders another beer and is feeling hungry. Walks into the attached restaurant next door. Pays for a steak. He's still thirsty. "Can you deliver the steak nextdoor?" "Sure we do it all the time. " Back to beers in the bar. The steak is taking a while. The steak is taking too long. His phone rings. It's his wife back home. "Hey, go next door and collect your steak, they couldn't find you. Don't drink too much. ".

True story. How's that privacy going?.

Not as far fetched or uncommon in the days before covid. Social media just enhances the ability of nosey people and acquaintances.

[Detwing1]

The bad news is the popo and local barangay capitan are bribe able.

The good news is the popo and local barangay capitan are bribe able.

Generally a "resolution fee" can be arrived at for cooler heads.

Yep!!

Walking back to my condo one night. Drunk off my ass and having a smoke (have since quit smoking).

Makati policeman walks up and informs me that smoking in the street is a 1,000 peso fine. Gave me 2 options.

1) Allow him to confiscate my passport to ensure I would show up at the courthouse to answer for the smoking in the street.

2) Pay the 1,000 peso "fine" on the spot - "but is no receipt ok?

[Dg8787]

Back when we had bases in the PI when ships pulled in they would warn the crew to be very careful on being the "Ugly American" and bull dozing your way through issues. At the time, the common practice was for a Pinoy to claim "You assaulted me" or some type of harassment that resulted in you being reported to Shore Patrol (SP) and then they would default to the natives and take you back to the base, and if you were on a ship place you in what was called "Op Hold" until your case was adjudicated. Normally that meant you were going to pay some type of fine to the aggrieved and let go. Seen it happen a few times, guys get hemmed up with a girl and all of a sudden her brother or cousin comes and demands satisfaction. I suspect that doesn't much apply to the general mongerer these days since we have no bases there and for the civilian population the Embassy doesn't have the dedicated resources to deal with some of the petty arguments between adults unlike the military who always had enough people to ruin the fun, but these days if you mess up too bad down there it's straight to jail for you now.

The bad news is the popo and local barangay capitan are bribe able.

The good news is the popo and local barangay capitan are bribe able.

Generally a "resolution fee" can be arrived at for cooler heads.

[Drbombay]

A cocky attitude like that, combined with white privilege won't get you far in the Philippines. It will only attract attention and danger. You could learn a lot from the mistakes made by Messrs Shobbrook, Birthisel and Scully who are now enjoying an extended free vacation at Bilibid. Hahaha.

Back when we had bases in the PI when ships pulled in they would warn the crew to be very careful on being the "Ugly American" and bull dozing your way through issues. At the time, the common practice was for a Pinoy to claim "You assaulted me" or some type of harassment that resulted in you being reported to Shore Patrol (SP) and then they would default to the natives and take you back to the base, and if you were on a ship place you in what was called "Op Hold" until your case was adjudicated. Normally that meant you were going to pay some type of fine to the aggrieved and let go. Seen it happen a few times, guys get hemmed up with a girl and all of a sudden her brother or cousin comes and demands satisfaction. I suspect that doesn't much apply to the general mongerer these days since we have no bases there and for the civilian population the Embassy doesn't have the dedicated resources to deal with some of the petty arguments between adults unlike the military who always had enough people to ruin the fun, but these days if you mess up too bad down there it's straight to jail for you now.

[Sharka]

Ah, that's very good to know. I'll make staying in AC my priority when I visit.

If you never been to Philippines, then Manila is far better than AC. Still more things to see and do as its a very big city. AC can't compare as its just a shithole with almost NOTHING to do. One or 2 big malls and that's it. Both places have plenty of girls so need to base decision on that. But for someone who has spent enough time in both places, its just a matter of choosing the cheaper one. If both places were similar in prices, I would never choose AC as Manila definitely has much more variety for everything.

Just my take.

[SinfullyKorean]

I'm not a recluse but an average person. Not yet an A-hole or at least not that anyone has called me that. Ok, a few girls I've thrown out for real bitches or scammers have called me that, so not sure if those count.

I like a few beers but not everyday, so guess I'm not yet an alcoholic.

I've spent time in Manila in the past but don't go anymore as I find the city to be just too chaotic and dirty. Traffic is shit along with most of the city.

After 3 weeks, its difficult to find something to do other than find ladies. So the balanced life in Manila is somewhat problematic for me.

So now, I spend most of my time in AC instead. Mostly the same as Manila as AC is also a shit hole in general.

Also ran out of things to do after 2-3 weeks other than finding ladies. So trying to find a balance life in AC is problematic too, but at least its at more affordable prices compare to Manila.

Ah, that's very good to know. I'll make staying in AC my priority when I visit.

[Drbombay]

This is very true. I've often said that Asia has basically no societal constraints. A white guy with a few bucks can and often does what ever he wants without restraint. This leads to his personality to become exaggerated when away from home:

The mildly annoying become total A-holes.

There was a comic put out here in Japan years ago called "Charisma Man" where the hero was a Fast Food fry cook from Canada (white guy) and flew over to Japan to become an English teacher (considered to be the low end of expat jobs here) and once he stepped off the plane he was immediately transformed into "Charisma Man" with his appearance changing to that of a real smooth lady's man always on the prowl for pretty Japanese women who would be way out of his league back in his home of Canada. His arch nemesis' were Western women who saw through the charade he was putting on. Look it up pretty funny but goes along to what you were saying not just for the PI but pretty much anywhere in Asia it seems.

[Lost Refugee]

How one lives ones life in the US will impact on the enjoyment of living in the Philippines. Everyone knows that P4P in the US sucks big time. However, there are many other enjoyable things to be done back home. For example, one may like fine dining, going to clubs (hip hop, jazz or other), going to the theatre or concerts, going to museums, hitting clubs with buddies, visiting and hanging out with friends and family, etc. If one does all these things back home then living in the Philippines will get very boring fast. However, if one does not do these things and just stays in ones lodging working remotely while taking time out to go to the supermarket then living in the Philippines can be paradise.
Covid has actually got me to appreciate being home a bit more. I have been banging hookers albeit not as hot and not as cheap as in my mongering destinations but I have actually been able to save more money than if I was travelling. Actually, there is no other place Id rather be right now. Furthermore, having no access to my favorite girls in Latin America, Asia and Germany my local hookers are beginning to look better and better.

Philippines it's one of the best destination for catching fresh "fish" but the cultural life it's nowhere near to what I use to have in Europe and just exactly the same thing you're enjoying back to US. This could be a nice destination for 5-6 months a year, enough time to be more than a tourist and enjoy the pleasures like an expat. After a little bit more than one year living here, I do really appreciate more the cultural life I use to have back to Europe since here it almost doesn't exist. At the end of the day it's not just the endless pussy that makes us happy and be pleased in life!