Stupid Shit in the Philippines

[QUOTE=NewtonYork;2999548]Why are they killing Koreans all the time here?[/QUOTE]"All the time". What does that mean? Every day? Its best not to use over-arching generalizations.

[B]All foreginers and most Pinoys are targets and it might be arguied osme but not all Koreans let their guard down. There are guys scouting round on bkes all the time seing who they can rob and Pinoys have their phones etc snatched on a regular basis.[/B]

Respectfully. Have been nicked here (specifically AC) only once in more than 2 decades. Have mates here longer than I've been here who have never been nicked. Have walked many of the ugly / dark nooks and crannies of Manila in the dead of night, multiple times. Just not sure there's a major bodily-injury crime increase going on. I have pinoy friends, and nobody that I am aware of has had their phone stolen in the past year.

Good is not the enemy of great, but fear is what drives us to mediocrity and failure to attempt success.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2999683]"All the time"s.[/QUOTE]The security guard where I was staying had his phone snatched when he nodded off and hotel staff told mes snatching is a common occurrence. I got reports of multiple break ins, usually targeting foreigners (= bigger picking). The houses in Balibago are all caged in, obviously for that reason. I have heard of knife stick ups and so I urge caution.

Given the endemic poverty, crime is to be expected and "rich"foreingers should regard thesmekves as targets. I would consider it important to know Koreatown is in play as they have their own cops, and many of the Koreans living in Angeles are criminals, who bite back.

[B]The security guard where I was staying had his phone snatched when he nodded off and hotel staff told mes snatching is a common occurrence. I got reports of multiple break ins, usually targeting foreigners (= bigger picking). [/B]Guessing you are speaking of the greater AC area as you mention K-Town. I think if you compare living in the area, or just walking the streets in general, you will find it a more dangerous area than say, living in a condo, house, or apartment elsewhere. I spent almost a year living in Malate in 2021 along del Pilar road, during the pandemic when the country was at its poorest in memory, unafraid, walking and jogging day and night. Known for my pr*ck (or just being a pr*ck); not known for my 'tough-guy' abilities. But unafraid to move about.

[B]The houses in Balibago are all caged in, obviously for that reason. [/B]As they are in much of the world, including the rest of Phils, much of central and south America, and parts of the US. Not trying to minimize your experiences. But comparing AC to the rest of Phils is like trying to compare Tijuana to the rest of Mexico. Also, I'd guess about a million tourists come to AC every year (based on Tourism numbers), and they go home with happy memories.

OTOH, and to make your point, my country has had a continuous warning on its State Dept website about dangerous places here where they think you should not travel (Mindanao amongst others). Other countries do similar.

Koreans are not being killed all the time. If they were, the country would call its citizens home (something the Phils government wouldn't want, given the influx of K money).

On The Other-Other Hand. If you DO get killed in AC, please write us a descriptive Field Report for the newbs.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2999752]

On The Other-Other Hand. If you DO get killed in AC, please write us a descriptive Field Report for the newbs.[/QUOTE]And as the great Yogi Berra said, 'Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. '.

[QUOTE=Jarango;2999699]

Given the endemic poverty, crime is to be expected and "rich"foreingers should regard thesmekves as targets. [/QUOTE]That's a really big leap. I've been floating, often living, around Asian for decades. Many times I've been to poor areas or been with poor girls. Often they have been the ones to look out for me or even return things that I have lost or forgotten.

In all that time all my thefts have been opportunistic, never any threats of assault or weapons involved: a girl stole cash out of my wallet and disappeared halfway through the night while I slept; another in a similar situation stole my phone iPad etc. In both cases I would have been fine if I had taken the most basic of security of precautions.

One thing I should add is that, generally, I don't do stupid shit. I'm generous with out waving wads of cash. I don't go looking for arguments and am happy to back down or walk away. I'm an infrequent but quiet and happy drunk rather than aggressive or abusive. If I have a few too many, then it's a taxi home vs walking.

I think comments about packs of bad guys combing the streets for foreigner prey is wildly over blown. Now guys that draw attention towards themselves and go looking for trouble, then that is totally different.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Mahku;2999757]And as the great Yogi Berra said, 'Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours. '.[/QUOTE]Did he also say: "Hit it where they ain't. "?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2999812]Did he also say: "Hit it where they ain't. "?[/QUOTE]It is wise to leave in your Will and instructions in PH for cremation and remains to be sent back home, otherwise your family will get robbed again!

This is a numbers game. There is the danger of low level crime and more serious stuff too, as witnessed by the vloggers getting roughed up. I prefer to get those warnings than reports of bonking some random hooker.

My own home city has deteriorated a lot with the influx of illegal immigrants and the US Embassy, for one, gives warnings to their citizens visiting it. I think the Yanks are right to do that. Although the mumbers of those attacked are low, it happens almost every day.

Even Goferring's experience of hookers robbing him point to the dangers. Regardless of whether anyone walked the backstreets 10000 times without incident, caution is advised and all tips to reduce the odds of geting rolled are deeply appreciated, by me at least.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2999752]Koreans are not being killed all the time. If they were, the country would call its citizens home (something the Phils government wouldn't want, given the influx of K money).[/QUOTE]According to a news video article, 38 Koreans have been killed since 2015/2016.

The Korean manager of the 50/100 poker game at the Wild Aces warned people of the satchel (man-purse) snatching danger long time ago. You can see the signs made by the Korean association, warning of that danger on Walking Street (I refuse to use Red Street; IMO, that is a dumb name, unless they change it to Red Light Street). The English translation on the sign says, "Be careful to the Robber" (Funny English). According to another news article, last month, policed killed the passenger and wounded the driver of a moto-bike when the police attempted to stop the bike without a license plate. It seem the passenger resisted.

There is obviously multiple people targeting people carrying satchels. IMO, satchels scream, I have a lot of valuables here because I don't trust the hotel safe. IMO, satchels are better protection against pick pockets, but they make you a target. IMO, I don't think it matters what nationality you are if you are carrying a satchel. Although I don't see many White guys carrying satchels.

The time that Korean who got killed last week occurred at 1:50 pm, in broad daylight in K-town. I used to take the jeepney to that area, and walk back to Walking Street, for my health walk. I don't plan to do that again. I thought it was safe to do that walk during the middle of the day, with many people around. I will rethink the dangers.

If you want to read about it, Google, "Korean killed in Angeles". My regular showed me an unfiltered Facebook post. It showed them stopping CPR. And then it showed the dead Korean's friend, sobbing over his dead body. It was gut-wrenching.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2999878]warning of that danger on Walking Street (I refuse to use Red Street; IMO, that is a dumb name, unless they change it to Red Light Street). [/QUOTE]Hey man get with the times. You probably refuse to use Early Work Release too.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2999759]Many times I've been to poor areas or been with poor girls. Often they have been the ones to look out for me or even return things that I have lost or forgotten.[/QUOTE]Agree G from my experience.

When I pull my phone out sometimes in public at a busy location, one contact always says, "What are you doing?

I've never been ripped-off, but it's a reminder of what can happen and the precautions to take.

Then again, years ago in Napoli, Italy, a Policeman asked me why I had my old SLR camera in my hand walking down the street and gave me a warning.

Theft and crime is not Angeles or Phils specific.

It happens everywhere.

Would I wear a man-bag or satchel, as others have called them.

Fuck no. I think they're referred to here as a 'Wanker's Handbag'.

Just my experience _ Phil.

[QUOTE=PhilJoy;2999904]Agree G from my experience.

When I pull my phone out sometimes in public at a busy location, one contact always says, "What are you doing?

I've never been ripped-off, but it's a reminder of what can happen and the precautions to take.

Then again, years ago in Napoli, Italy, a Policeman asked me why I had my old SLR camera in my hand walking down the street and gave me a warning.

Theft and crime is not Angeles or Phils specific.

It happens everywhere.

Would I wear a man-bag or satchel, as others have called them.

Fuck no. I think they're referred to here as a 'Wanker's Handbag'.

Just my experience _ Phil.[/QUOTE]I'm a glass half full type of guy. Do I stop coming because of two bad incidents or do I have fond memories of the thousands of interactions that I have had?

At the time, the loss of private, play and work contacts and info was a major PITA. Not to mention explaining the loss of company property. Even so it pales in comparison to the amount of fun I have had around the traps.

G.

I stand at least somewhat corrected:

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2999878]According to a news video article, 38 Koreans have been killed since 2015/2016.[/QUOTE]Was not aware of this. However I maintain that its a problem that is localized to a specific geography, and a specific group (who flaunt wealth).

A question. Promise I'm not being cheeky when asking this: Is that a lot? In relation to what? Is it possible that more Koreans are killed in any number of cities in my country each year? Is there a recent uptick? These are legitimate questions. To compare: There were 19,000+ homicides in the US in 2023. Some stats from LOS Angeles City, over 10 years, from 2014 to 2023:

Homicide 260 282 293 281 258 258 351 401 387 324.

Robbery 7,949 8,952 10,307 10,814 10,327 9,652 8,013 8,472 9,124 8,711.

[URL]https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/crimes-clearances[/URL]

Its a shame that we consider a particular handful of homicides as not noteworthy.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;2999878]The Korean manager of the 50/100 poker game at the Wild Aces warned people of the satchel (man-purse) snatching danger long time ago. You can see the signs made by the Korean association, warning of that danger on Walking Street (I refuse to use Red Street; IMO, that is a dumb name, unless they change it to Red Light Street). The English translation on the sign says, "Be careful to the Robber" (Funny English). [/QUOTE]You see those signs elsewhere in Phils also. Quiapo signs posted: "Watch for pick pocket / snatcher", "Careful your wallet". However obviously if they have posted the sign in AC, its a concern to all visitors. Food for thought for those thinking of visiting.

I continue to maintain that you are safer almost anywhere in Phils than you are in many places in my country. However if anyone has been scared off, don't be worried about leaving more poon for those of us who live here. Its something we've been suffering thru since Covid.

[QUOTE=PhilJoy;2999904]Theft and crime is not Angeles or Phils specific. It happens everywhere. Would I wear a man-bag or satchel, as others have called them. Fuck no.[/QUOTE]To me, that is announcing where all your valuables are. I think it has something to do with Koreans not being street smart, because those types of crimes are non-existent in their country. My brother lives in Korea. He told me if I throw my wallet down on the sidewalk, then it would still be there the next day when we come back.

I always wandered what the heck are they carrying in those man purses beside the lipstick, vaseline, money, and cigarettes, because they all smoke.