Anyone Know about the City of Cagayan De Oro

[rockman]

Hello everyone its Troy here , does anyone know about the city of Cagayan de Oro, and whether it is safe to travel to it, i am in the Phillipines at present and wanted to go there with my fiancee.
Your haste would be appreciated as i am meant to be going there this afternoon.

[ginapeterb]

Currently their is no advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office website regarding the City of Cagayan de Oro, in Northern Mindano, as far as I am aware their is no reason why Troy cannot travel to this city, my sources tell me that several foreigners are in the City, and several thousand local filipina's have regular visits from their Western Husband/fiance's the only area's for concern in Mindanao, are the lower islands of Tawi Tawi and the Sulo string of Islands, these are said to be dangerous for Western tourists, due to the activities of NPA and the MIF guerilla's.

The main threat I would say from personal experience and research is the threat of kidnappings.

The best advice this forum could give, is be street aware, stay in the City itself, stay close to the main hotels in town, don't be taking bus rides into the inner areas of Mindanao, just being aware of the chance of a kidnapping is helpful in itself, recently an Italian national was kidnapped in Mindanao, being aware of the threat is a protection in itself, just look at your surroundings before you tend to travel.

Im sure that Cagayan de Oro is safe to travel to for Western Tourists, however of course those who are concerned could have checked the foreign office webiste before travelling as it is up to date.

[ginapeterb]

Terrorism

You should be aware of the high threat from domestic and international terrorism (including kidnapping) throughout the Philippines. Extremist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front operate in the Philippines, and communist insurgents remain active. There continue to be threats against Western interests and there is a danger of being caught up in a terrorist attack.

We advise against all travel to central, southern and Western Mindanao, to Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the Sulu archipelago, where military and police operations against terrorist and rebel groups are continuing and where kidnappings and bombings have taken place. You should take particular care in the rest of Mindanao, Manila, Palawan and at coastal resorts and tourist centres throughout the Philippines (see also Local Travel section). On 12 December, an explosive device went off in General Santos City Market, in Mindanao. Sixteen people were killed and over fifty injured, some critically.

There have been regular bombings and kidnappings in the Philippines (81 kidnap cases were reported in 2003, and some happened at sea) primarily in Mindanao, Basilan, the Sulu archipelago and Tawi-Tawi. Manila has also been targeted. A bomb exploded at a sports hall in Parang, in Lanao del Sur province, Central Mindanao, on 4 January 2004, killing 22 people. In April, June and November 2004, grenades were thrown at buildings in Manila's Makati central business district, including offices of a major part-British company, and police defused three explosive devices found in public areas of the capital over the period of 18-21 June 2004.

Terrorist groups have threatened to attack passenger ferries and other vessels, particularly those operating from Mindanao. On 27 February 2004, over 100 passengers were killed following a fire on board a Super ferry travelling between Manila and the Central Philippines. The Government confirmed on 11 October 2004, that this was caused by a bomb. A known terrorist group has claimed responsibility

In March and April 2003, explosions at Davao City Airport and Davao International Seaport in Mindanao caused between 37-38 deaths. Four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group arrested in Manila in March 2004 were reported to be in possession of 80lbs of explosives.

The Philippine government is working to neutralise the terrorist threat. It has tightened security in Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk, including airports and seaports.

Westerners were deliberately targeted in terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004).

[Admin]

At the Northern tip of Mindanao it's usually OK, but South & West is a problem. When I was their I always used the same pool of drivers for getting around.

You are allowed to carry knives ;D