Yeah on my 1st visit to Phills which was back in early 2013, lots of people advised me against going to Mindanao which at that time didnt bother me, bcuz while it was on my to do list, it wasnt planned at that time, the thing about it was that these people had never been to Mindanao so were basing there opinions on hear say.
My second visit i spent in total about 10 weeks on Mindanao, and Samal Island only a few months after the Kidnappings in total i was 5 weeks on Samal never any hint of trouble there. I spent lots of time on the eastern side of Mindanao, Trento, Bislig, San Frans lots of very attractive young ladies around there and some stupid bloke who fined me for smoking behind the Bus Terminal , i noticed lots of NPA signs around and about in Agusan Del Sur, but for me nothing to worry about. earlier this year i spent lots of time around Maramag, Valencia, Malabalay, this is in the centre of Mindanao, and a few times i went up to CDO, and down to Davao again nowt to worry about very little sign of anything untoward. Personally i dont mind Mindanao very friendly people wherever i went, and as anywhere in Phills be prepared to deal whenever you buy anything very rare that i pay whatever Im asked for, mind i still get ripped off on occasions but hey that happens to us all, if we stay there long enough .