Quote Originally Posted by gparry2007 View Post
lots of holdappers and pickpocketers...very busy place..easy access to any place in metro manila through train, buses, jeepney, taxi, FX,...u can find a market, average and posh malls...just be careful and avoid wearing jewelries and never use ur cellphone on the roads of even inside the cars...some places are good some place full of squatters....
I drew cash from ATMs practically every day over several months. Visited shops, malls, bus and train stations. Never even thought I might have any problem.

Of course not putting yourself on offer is practical advice for just about anywhere in the world.

Conceptions about a place are quite often wrong. I live on Costa del Sol. Some people love to say the crime is high. I have been a voluntary translator with the police here for 16 years. I know that reported crime is very low. Also, Spain was recently voted by UK tourists as the safest place to take a holiday.

Perceptions can be way out.