Kidnapping Danger in the Southern Philippines

Even the most experienced travelers ignore warnings about the risk of kidnap in the south of The Philippines at their own peril.
It might seem like a big adventure to go to less-travelled parts of The Philippines, but be warned, you'll be taking a big risk if you ignore warnings about the kidnapping of foreigners.

When Does a Philippines Adventure Become Too Risky?Back in February 2012 three foreign nationals on an adventure trip in the far south of the country were kidnapped by Abu Sayaf. Kidnappings by this criminal/terror outfit often do not end well.


Ransom is one of the methods used by Abu Sayaf to fund their long-running campaign for an independent Muslim state in this part of the predominantly Christian country, and they don't care how long they have to hold their captive until they get paid. Australian man Warren Rodwell, who was not a tourist but lived in the region with his Filipina wife, was taken just before Christmas 2011. He was finally released in June 2013. There's been no comment on whether the $2million ransom was paid in full, in part, or not at all.


Back to the foreign travellers in February 2012. According to local authorities the men were travelling between remote islands in the Tawi-Tawi group to capture images of rare birds. They were spotted by gang members in a passing motorboat. They stopped them and took them captive at gun point. An unlucky encounter, or a calculated risk gone bad?


The danger to foreigners in this region is well known. Most governments tell their citizens not to go there under any circumstances.


There‘s evidence they were also warned about the risk by local authorities. Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali told The Associated Press he sent along a town council member and an off-duty police officer because the foreigners had refused an armed escort.


There must have been a big incentive to go to this notoriously dangerous region, maybe bragging rights at the bird watching club, or more likely, big money from wildlife magazines for shots of a rare Sulu Hornbill? Maybe they calculated they didn‘t want an armed escort because a Marlboro-smoking goon with an AK-47 scares the birds away just before you press the shutter button.


Avoiding Danger & Unacceptable Risk in the Philippines
It might seem like a big adventure to go to less-travelled parts, but it is important not to let your sense of adventure blind you to the real risks. Those travel warnings are in place for a reason. Plus, local knowledge is always best, if the provincial governor wants you to take an armed escort, listen to him.


But in the end it‘s up to each person to make their own call on the level of risk they‘re prepared to accept. These photographers deliberately put themselves in harm‘s way, went to a region where kidnapping is a real risk, where they know it will be extremely unlikely they‘ll be able to get emergency assistance of any kind. Would you be surprised to learn there‘s no way a regular travel insurance policy would cover them, and their home governments are powerless to help? No, me neither.


There are some amazing things to lure the adventurous to this region. Whether it's a pristine beach surrounded by clear blue waters, or a rare Sulu Hornbill bird.... but you have to ask yourself is it worth the risk?