General Information

Local social media are reporting a pitched battle just a few hours ago in Inabanga, Bohol, between government forces (PNP and Army) and a heavily armed bandit group, possibly Abu Sayaf. Reportedly, 5 bandits, as well as 1 policeman and 3 Army soldiers, have been killed.

Inabanga is on the north-northeastern coast of Bohol, approximately 70 km north of Tagbilaran. The bandit group reportedly came in by boat (I. E. , over the water) from Mindanao to Inabanga. Note that Inabanga is just across the water (Cebu Strait), about 60 km from Cebu City. Inabanga is actually closer to Cebu City than to Tagbilaran.

Although not yet entirely clear, this appears to be legitimate breaking news, and not unsubstantiated rumor or fake news. If true, then, as the desk sergeant used to say on Hill Street Blues: "Let's be careful out there (in Cebu)".

OM.

Today there was a warning issued from Central Command, Camp Lapu Lapu for the public to be vigillant in the provinces of Badian and Delaguete.

Would think that Cebu City dwellers have nothing to worry about.

[QUOTE=BukoMax;2021290]Today there was a warning issued from Central Command, Camp Lapu Lapu for the public to be vigillant in the provinces of Badian and Delaguete.

Would think that Cebu City dwellers have nothing to worry about.[/QUOTE]A similar caution was contained in a Travel Advisory published a couple of days ago by the US Embassy in Manila.

GE.

Cebu city appears relatively safe.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2021368]A similar caution was contained in a Travel Advisory published a couple of days ago by the US Embassy in Manila.

GE.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2021368]A similar caution was contained in a Travel Advisory published a couple of days ago by the US Embassy in Manila.

GE.[/QUOTE]Also I posted in the General Info on the main board (as was being discussed there) about a police notice I had seen saying armed men in fast baors (ie ASG normally) seen near Carcar. But found nothing in the mainstream media.

If Dalaguete etc that is about 3 hrs drive from Cebu. I know I have been there (and past it), faster in a boat equipped with a large engine.

Yea, kind of creepy. I stayed at Dalaguete sometime last year.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2021501]Also I posted in the General Info on the main board (as was being discussed there) about a police notice I had seen saying armed men in fast baors (ie ASG normally) seen near Carcar. But found nothing in the mainstream media.

If Dalaguete etc that is about 3 hrs drive from Cebu. I know I have been there (and past it), faster in a boat equipped with a large engine.[/QUOTE]

Inabanga, Bohol is almost directly across the strait from Dalaguete, Cebu. If you want to hire a boat across, I'm sure you can. Just looking at the map.

Transferred this from the Cebu Hotels thread.

[QUOTE=Pcpc1688;2017700]Best Money changer is in Rustans Market Ayala Mall. Walk in and turn right in a booth / office. Better than most by. 1-. 20 usually.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Gunners1;2015927]I find the place on the ground floor inside metro to be the best rate.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2015689]The Ayala changer I always use for all currencies. Is a small place but worth the trek. After the escalator turn left and walk past Western Union and it it there on the left[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=XMan;2015638]Thanks for the report. I have two money changers in Cebu that I regularly use simply because they have the best rates. One is below Mercury Drug at the Fuente Circle. The other is the 4th floor money changer at Ayala mall. It's a bit tricky to find. It's between Gold's Gym and the food court.[/QUOTE]Had a fair wad of AUD to change so thought I would do the trek around Ayala to compare rates.

Ayala terraces 3rd floor called XChange near Shakeys = 36.6 AUDPHP.

GPC Money Exchange on GF near centre of Ayala near BO's Coffee = 36.10 AUDPHP.

Basement of Rustans (Westn Union next door) = 36.8 AUDPHP.

Core Pacific L4 in the laneway where all the transfer shops are near Gold's Gym = 36.70.

Stall inside The Maze L3 between Rustans and Metro (the Maze is a walkway with clothes and telco stalls) = 37.25 AUDPHP.

Could not find one inside Metro. Not sure if WR's near Western Union is the same as the one in Rustans next to Western Union.

So I am not sure if anyone was referring to the one within The Maze but it is the clear winner for Ayala forex exchanges. Didn't bother to venture to Robinsons to compare.

[QUOTE=MsAccount;2026715].

Not sure if WR's near Western Union is the same as the one in Rustans next to Western Union.[/QUOTE]It is the one on the top floor, from escalator turn left as you see the gym then go past Western Union, LBC etc and it is tucked away on the left hand side. Small place and 2 tellers at most.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2026799]It is the one on the top floor, from escalator turn left as you see the gym then go past Western Union, LBC etc and it is tucked away on the left hand side. Small place and 2 tellers at most.[/QUOTE]Yeah so that is the one I refer to as "Core Pacific L4 in the laneway where all the transfer shops are near Gold's Gym".

[QUOTE=MsAccount;2026715]

Had a fair wad of AUD to change so thought I would do the trek around Ayala to compare rates.

<SNIP>

So I am not sure if anyone was referring to the one within The Maze but it is the clear winner for Ayala forex exchanges. [/QUOTE]That seems to be the case on the day you did the trek.

In the final analysis, the trek round the money-changers netted the grand total of an additional 65 pesos between the worst (36.6) and the best (37.25) rates (if you exchanged $100 AUD).

Your comparative data is no doubt useful for guys to know Ms A but it might be different tomorrow as all of these changers compete with each other.

I am nevertheless puzzled why guys will use up so much time to troop all over town to look for the best rate to exchange a relatively small amount of cash when the differential is very low. Best rates really only come into play when you're exchanging $500 - 1000 bucks.

When I am travelling, whether for work or play, I use my HSBC ATM card, which always gives a close to best forex rate with no fees. I have done the comparison on many occasions.

I certainly don't want to spend my valuable time seeking out money-changers for an extra one or two hundred extra pesos, or protecting large sums of cash that I have brought from home.

[QUOTE=MsAccount;2027200]Yeah so that is the one I refer to as "Core Pacific L4 in the laneway where all the transfer shops are near Gold's Gym".[/QUOTE]Yes lots of transfer shops plus Skycable, DHL, Western etc.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;2027216]That seems to be the case on the day you did the trek.

In the final analysis, the trek round the money-changers netted the grand total of an additional 65 pesos between the worst (36.6) and the best (37.25) rates (if you exchanged $100 AUD).

Your comparative data is no doubt useful for guys to know Ms A but it might be different tomorrow as all of these changers compete with each other.

I am nevertheless puzzled why guys will use up so much time to troop all over town to look for the best rate to exchange a relatively small amount of cash when the differential is very low. Best rates really only come into play when you're exchanging $500 - 1000 bucks.

When I am travelling, whether for work or play, I use my HSBC ATM card, which always gives a close to best forex rate with no fees. I have done the comparison on many occasions.

I certainly don't want to spend my valuable time seeking out money-changers for an extra one or two hundred extra pesos, or protecting large sums of cash that I have brought from home.[/QUOTE]My mode of operation has been just bringing in AUD and changing to PHP. I did set up an HSBC Premium account in Australia about a year ago with the intention of setting up a HSBC premium account in the Philippines. My understanding is that online I could move money between the two accounts and then withdraw fee free from the Philippines HSBC account. However my understanding is that if I use my HSBC Australia card I am still paying the 200 pesos fee. I went to HSBC in Cebu and they effectively told me I had to go through the international banking centre which I never got around to doing. So given I am changing reasonable amounts per month (5 K or so) the exchange difference does add up. Can you confirm your HSBC account setup that allows you fee free. It is a local HSBC Philippines account?

[QUOTE=MsAccount;2027280]My mode of operation has been just bringing in AUD and changing to PHP. I did set up an HSBC Premium account in Australia about a year ago with the intention of setting up a HSBC premium account in the Philippines. My understanding is that online I could move money between the two accounts and then withdraw fee free from the Philippines HSBC account.{S N I P}[/QUOTE]That is correct, or certainly was up to 2015. Just log into one of the accounts and click on the "global" button. Haven't heard of any changes and I still do regular transfers between Australia and other countries.

Ikks.

[QUOTE=MsAccount;2027280]My mode of operation has been just bringing in AUD and changing to PHP. I did set up an HSBC Premium account in Australia about a year ago with the intention of setting up a HSBC premium account in the Philippines. My understanding is that online I could move money between the two accounts and then withdraw fee free from the Philippines HSBC account. However my understanding is that if I use my HSBC Australia card I am still paying the 200 pesos fee. I went to HSBC in Cebu and they effectively told me I had to go through the international banking centre which I never got around to doing. So given I am changing reasonable amounts per month (5 K or so) the exchange difference does add up. Can you confirm your HSBC account setup that allows you fee free. It is a local HSBC Philippines account?[/QUOTE]I have both and was painless as I sat with the account manager in Cebu and she did the work I just filled in the blanks, no need for you to do that.

What you say is correct about fees and is why I have a local ATM for Cebu (and the Philippines).

PM me for more details if you need.