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Safety and Security

U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including the risk of terrorism. The southern island of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the southern Sulu Sea region are of particular security concern. Travelers should defer all non-essential travel to the Sulu Archipelago and should exercise extreme caution on the island of Mindanao and when traveling through the southern region of the Sulu Sea. For further information regarding the continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities in the Philippines, see the Travel Warning for the Philippines.

Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jema’ah Islamiyah, as well as groups that have broken away from the mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which reached a peace agreement with the government in March 2014, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries, and property damage; engaged in armed confrontation with Philippine security forces and the military; and conducted kidnappings for ransom. In October 2014, police arrested three men known to have links to terrorist organizations on suspicion of plotting to bomb targets in metro Manila. Separately, bombings in the central and western areas of Mindanao have targeted bus terminals, public buildings, public markets, and local festivals. Insurgent groups continue to confront Philippine security forces in the Maguindanao area, and in early 2015, security forces launched a major counterinsurgency operation against groups responsible for the massacre of 44 Philippine National Police commandos in Mamasapano. While those responsible do not appear to target foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Official U.S. government visitors and U.S. Embassy employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao, U.S. official travelers maintain a low profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own private security personnel.

Kidnap-for-ransom gangs operate in the Philippines and have targeted foreigners, including Filipino-Americans. Such gangs are especially active in the Sulu Archipelago, and a number of foreigners have been kidnapped there in recent years. Due to recent kidnappings of foreigners by the Abu Sayyaf Group in the region, U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution if considering travel in the southern Sulu Sea region between Balabac Island and Palawan, in the Philippines; Sabah, Malaysia; and east to Zamboanga City, Mindanao, in the Philippines.

Occasionally, the U.S. Embassy is the target of planned and/or spontaneous demonstrations. While Philippine security forces generally prevent such demonstrators from reaching the Embassy, in rare instances protestors have made their way successfully to the Embassy perimeter. In such instances, Embassy security authorities may take appropriate measures to safeguard personnel and visitors, including restricting access to the compound. U.S. citizens or other individuals having business at the Embassy should keep this in mind and be prepared to defer their business until any such situation is resolved.

U.S. citizens in the Philippines are advised to monitor local news broadcasts and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public places, especially when choosing hotels, restaurants, beaches, entertainment venues, and recreation sites.

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CRIME: Crime is a concern in the Philippines. As a rule of thumb, U.S. citizens should exercise good judgment and remain aware of their surroundings. Reports of confidence games (con games), pick pocketing, Internet scams, and credit/ATM card fraud are common. U.S. citizens should be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend them, especially just after their arrival in the country. It is best not to accept food, drink, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear to be legitimate. There have been several cases of solo travelers meeting people on Roxas Boulevard in downtown Manila, striking up a conversation, developing a relationship, and then being invited to a tourist destination outside of Manila under the guise of meeting their Philippine family. The travelers are taken to the area and, typically during a meal, are given a substance that renders them unconscious. They are then robbed of valuables, including their ATM cards, which are then used to drain their bank accounts. While U.S. citizens are not typically targeted, kidnappings, violent assaults, murder-for-hire and other violent crimes do occur in the Philippines.

Taxis are the recommended form of public transportation. However, robberies committed by taxi drivers and/or individuals using stolen taxi cabs increased in 2014. Always use extra caution when hailing taxis on the street. The safest way to travel using taxi service is to ask the hotel, restaurant, and/or business establishment to call a reliable taxi cab service for you. The following safeguards are important: Do not enter a taxi if it has already accepted another passenger and always request that the driver use the meter to record your fare. If the driver is unwilling to comply with these requests, wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make a mental note of the license plate number of the cab, or text it to someone, should there be a problem. There have been several instances of travelers arriving at the Manila international airport and, shortly after they leave the airport area in a taxi or private vehicle, their vehicle is stopped, typically by an intentional rear-end collision, and the travelers are robbed. When driving in the city, make certain that vehicle doors are locked and windows are rolled up. For both safety and security reasons, avoid all other forms of public transportation, such as the light rail system, buses, and “jeepneys.”

You should also be vigilant when using credit and debit cards. One common form of credit/ATM card fraud involves an illicit electronic device attached to ATM card readers that retrieves and records information, including the PIN, from a card's magnetic strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases. To limit your vulnerability to this scam, never let your card out of your sight. Avoid ATMs with unusual coverings attached to the card receiver. When using an ATM, be aware of your surroundings. Avoid ATM locations in dimly lit areas and be careful to prevent observation by others when entering your PIN code.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. To contact the police, the local equivalent of the “911” emergency line in the Philippines is 117. The U.S. embassy can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The prosecution and sentencing of individuals accused of crimes, including crimes against U.S. citizens and other foreigners, are not always consistent with legal guidelines, and judicial decisions may not be transparent to victims or their families. The Philippines has a program to provide financial compensation to victims of violent or personal crime or unjust imprisonment. Information may be obtained from the Philippine Department of Justice at 011-632-523-8481 through 89, local 344. Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. 

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Population: 109,581,078


Total Land Area: 298,170 km2


Population/km2: 367.51