Manila

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1778289][URL]http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538092/news/nation/authorities-probing-laglag-bala-extort-modus-at-naia[/URL]

I encourage all expats coming here to read this and to think twice about checking bags through. Evidently the latest scale involves inserting a couple of bullets into passengers' luggage and then "discovering" the contraband through x-ray screening. Passengers are then offered the chance to pay a bribe to have the incident forgotten or to go to a jail conveniently located in the airport.

GE.[/QUOTE]Saw the story, but remember, that this type of thing is usually a Pinoy on Pinoy type crime. Most know that expats are not shy to shout and scream if they see something wrong and of course to get the phone out and start recording at the earliest instance.

However your advice about watching your bag is very well delivered. A few years ago a visiting Governor claimed to have lost a bag with a lot of money between the bag going in the xray machine and coming out of it. I always remember to watch it like a hawk and will not face away from the machine for the pat down. Even though if you look, sometimes the foot marks indicate you would be facing away for pat down.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1778446]I use NAIA frequently, and I never check bags. Prior to being screened I watch my bag as it starts through x-ray and then immediately pick it up on the other side, in an attempt to limit the opportunity of the airport folks to mess with it. It's important here to remain continuously vigilant and suspicious. In light of the current scam I'm wondering if I should purchase a carry-on with no accessible external compartments.
I've been here for more than a decade now, and it seems to me that the scams and other dangers are becoming more numerous.
GE.[/QUOTE]Another scam is the airport screening staff surreptitiously putting a very small bag of powder or crystals on the luggage tray as it passes through X-ray. Then after it has passed through the Xray machine, they raise a ruckus and drag you off to a small room and offer the typical alternatives of being handed to authorities or paying an "on the spot fine".

You need to watch your tray very carefully. As soon as it exits the X-ray machine, if there are any "extras" on the tray, immediately and strongly state that the object is not yours [b]before the staff have the opportunity to say anything[/b]. It is very easy for staff to slip a small plastic bag onto the tray.

Another type of crime that is increasing on overnight flights to/from China and Hong Kong is that individuals and gangs steal from bags in the overhead lockers whilst passenger are asleep. They steal cameras, laptops, cash and other valuables. I always lock my bags when they are in the overhead lockers.

I am not paranoid or scaremongering - just taking sensible precautions. Forewarned is forearmed!

Ikksman

I am confused on which x-Ray machine is this done on. On departures you have to x-ray all bags at the entrance of the building, is it this one? Or after check-in you go thru a security point and x-ray your carry-on, is it this one?

Then on arrivals after getting your luggage you go through "customs" nothing to declare line and they can pull you over for a search. Any problems here?

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1778534]I am confused on which x-Ray machine is this done on. On departures you have to x-ray all bags at the entrance of the building, is it this one? Or after check-in you go thru a security point and x-ray your carry-on, is it this one?

Then on arrivals after getting your luggage you go through "customs" nothing to declare line and they can pull you over for a search. Any problems here?[/QUOTE]Evidently the scam is pulled as you put your bags through x-ray either while entering the terminal or going through screening yet again to go to the gates. One victim said that as his stuff was coming out in the belt, a security person called to him to come over for a conversation, thereby distracting him from looking at his bag. While the passenger was distracted, another security guy slipped one or two bullets into the bag, and then the fun began. The guy who recounted this story spent five nights or so in jail after refusing to pay the Php30,000 demanded.

I too never check bags and I keep my carry-on locked. I keep all cash in my pocket. However I do leave my wallet in an unlocked briefcase under the seat. I think I'll start carrying it to the toilet with me if I need to get up. I never leave my phone or iPad unattended and my Bose earphones go on before takeoff, so there's not much for anyone to steal.

As to this scam being perpetrated only on Pinoys, that may be true, but I doubt it. The greed of the security guys is as rapacious as that of the politicians and I don't think they're much daunted by anyone. It would not shock anyone I'm sure if it turned out that the security scammers were acting on orders from one or more senior officials. Remember, greed here is a river without end.

GE.

Thanks for the info. So it is on departures and not on arrivals. I usually have a 25" bag to check in and a backpack to carryon. Most of the time I use a porter to wheel my bag thru as they are able to bypass the long lines for the X-ray machine. Maybe the scammers would not pull it in front of them. Maybe!

As a normal practice at all airport security points I have my pockets empty and backpack ready to go thru the X-ray machine. Most times I can walk right up to the front of the line ahead of the laggers and throw my backpack on the belt and walk right thru the scanner in one quick move, always keeping an eye on my backpack.

Looks like the 20 yo refused to pay P30 k but had to post P40 k for bail! That is f upped. Now they will fabricate a bunch witnesses against him. I think supervisors and higher ups have to be in on this. I don't think lower level workers would risk this without the support of the next higher level to back it up.

[QUOTE=FreebieFan;1778512]Saw the story, but remember, that this type of thing is usually a Pinoy on Pinoy type crime. Most know that expats are not shy to shout and scream if they see something wrong and of course to get the phone out and start recording at the earliest instance.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=GoodEnough;1778573As to this scam being perpetrated only on Pinoys, that may be true, but I doubt it. The greed of the security guys is as rapacious as that of the politicians and I don't think they're much daunted by anyone. It would not shock anyone I'm sure if it turned out that the security scammers were acting on orders from one or more senior officials. Remember, greed here is a river without end.[/QUOTE]Long term mongers once again appearing brain dead as one stated these scams tend to be Pinoy on Pinoy and one stating he is not sure it will be perpetrated against foreigners. Of course this scam will be used on foreigners and foreigners will be asked to pay more than OFW or Filipinos abroad because after all in most Filipinos minds none Filipinos from "Poreigner Land" have endless amounts of money. This is what they do. They charge foreigners more for everything including scams. Diba?

In the article the Fil-Am Rhed Austria de Guzman was asked to pay P500 while the Caucasian American or none Filipino was asked to pay P30,000.

Jealousy / hatred / resentment of foreigners in this nation reared its ugly head yet once again.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1778289][URL]http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538092/news/nation/authorities-probing-laglag-bala-extort-modus-at-naia[/URL]

I encourage all expats coming here to read this and to think twice about checking bags through. Evidently the latest scale involves inserting a couple of bullets into passengers' luggage and then "discovering" the contraband through x-ray screening. Passengers are then offered the chance to pay a bribe to have the incident forgotten or to go to a jail conveniently located in the airport.

GE.[/QUOTE]With personal carry on bags, best lock ALL zipper end tag connections, so zippers cannot be opened quickly & surreptitiously while one goes through security scans.

With counter checked bags, best check in bags without zippers as most can usually be easily opened with a ball pen.

Never trust anyone, especially if they are "friendly". Look in wing mirror always, never get complacent. Scamming is endemic.

Looks like Manila airport is getting infamous like Lagos airport in Nigeria.

A polite member asked me: How do you get hold of FEU girls? Do you hang out near college or there are some specific bars to check out?

I suppose a pogi (good-looking), young (18 to late 20's max), charming, western guy could hang out near the campus and chat up any pretty FEU skirt (distinctive green plaid) that walks by or enters your observation point in Jollibee / Starbucks / etc. They wouldn't lose any prestige points as they would with a non-pogi, non-young, non-charming, non-western guy.

Even for the most attractive (however defined) guy, I don't recommend basing your plan on random physical sightings however close the area of operations. The girls usually travel in gaggles, pairs minimum, or if walking alone near the campus are usually going somewhere with a purpose. If you're really interested in finding girls from a specific college, I recommend using your fake FB. Find some girls who list FEU as their college, ask some friendly nonsense question about one of their pics, add them, then take it from there. The girl will have many FB friends from the same college. Repeat the process until you are fully booked. Don't ever initiate an offer of money. Girls who require it as a condition of meeting will tell you. Most in college want to maintain their self-image of not being a gold digger. Don't try to make sense of it. You could always work your online activities while hanging out in a McDo near the campus. That would add convenience to all concerned, but if you're not a prize catch the girls will probably prefer a discrete meeting place. Depending on your technique and patience, you can always allow her to bring a friend or two for pizza or drinks or whatever your treat. If you keep communication and keep adding to your circle of acquaintances your schedule will eventually fill up. A hotel with a convenient eating & drinking place adjacent works best for me. If you're in the Philippines only briefly (less than two weeks), I highly recommend starting up your online efforts a week or two before you arrive.

Sorry if this advice is overly general or wordy. Other senior members have more experience in this particular area. Hope it helps.

Hi all,

I'll be in Manila in about a month. Will be staying briefly at the airport Marriott before flying on to Cebu. Can anyone recommend a FS massage parlor near the hotel? If necessary, Makati would do but nearer would be better.

Thanks in advance.

LexLuther.

I hooked my pimpette from mentioned institution through my fake FB. Happy turn of events as I met her through one of my initial fake FB friends. After a few short msg shared she was good to go to provide me her pukie and her friends pukie. Did not take one single date, just met drank a few Tand. And then good to go.
The source have run dried though so even if we still meet occationally ive moved on from her friends.
Its all about getting lucky sometimes as i was so its sometimes hard to predict or tell what people should do:-)

[QUOTE=LexLuther;1782967]Hi all,

I'll be in Manila in about a month. Will be staying briefly at the airport Marriott before flying on to Cebu. Can anyone recommend a FS massage parlor near the hotel? If necessary, Makati would do but nearer would be better.

Thanks in advance.

LexLuther.[/QUOTE]If your looking for a great sensual massage I recommend [URL]http://www.nurumassage.ph[/URL] they provide a professional nuru massage in manila. They have a chat support whom you can talk.

I booked there a lot of times and I can say they are very legit!

[QUOTE=LexLuther;1782967]Hi all,

I'll be in Manila in about a month. Will be staying briefly at the airport Marriott before flying on to Cebu. Can anyone recommend a FS massage parlor near the hotel? If necessary, Makati would do but nearer would be better.[/QUOTE]Flight 168 or Air Force 1, same building, different floors in Pasay. Cheap, quick, does the job, nothing fancy. Fl168 is cheaper than AF1 and personally I didn't find the girls any better in AF1 anyway! I think the one RandyGomez mentioned has better reviews though.

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So I've kinda been seeing this girl (based in Alabang), who'll generally head into Makati when I'm in town for lunch or dinner and we'll usually end up naked as the day we were born. She always says the same thing, if I meet her, I should meet only her, we should be exclusive in Manila. And of course, I tell her that it's fine (even though it's not truthful). Because she's crazy hot, so why not.

We've known each other about a year, we chat regularly on viber, sometimes FB, and I sneakily added her one of her hot friends. Very recently her friend tells me that Jhen (not her real name) is married to an American and has two sons, one of which is 10 years old. Would never have guessed from seeing her naked, she seriously looks like she's never had kids.

Anyway, just found it quite funny how the pinay brain works. Of course the big question is, now I know, do I see her again? Sadly I suspect not.

[QUOTE=CallSignPapa;1785455]Of course the big question is, now I know, do I see her again? Sadly I suspect not.[/QUOTE]Of course you do!