Hi Peter,

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. The only thing I didn't really agree with was about the married Filipina thing.

I have known about the rules of adultery there for a long time. It is partly a reason that it has taken me so long to go to Davao. Another part of the reason is that of the tourist advices.

In the case of David Scott - if Scott was a poor Filipino, there is no chance that the girl's husband would have behaved in the way he did. The fact that David Scott is a Westerner (and hence rich ) has given the opportunist the opportunity. And I feel sorry for David Scott. I feel sorry for his wife too.

I have already spoken with my girlfriend about this exact case. She said she doesn't think her husband will cause any problems like this - and he lives a fair distance away from her. However, I realise that the moment he gets wind that there is a Westerner (who is obviously rich because he is white) with his still lawfully wed wife, then there is a possibility that he will see this as an opportunity to extort money. I am not taking her word for it - although she may be 100% correct in the assessment of her ex-husband.

In fact, I will talk more with her about it tomorrow.

I have asked her not to mention my visit to anyone apart from her family. She is still friends with the wife of her husband's brother. As a sidenote, that guy is also between houses. That makes me angry in some ways - why it is ok for the guys, but not the girls.

I also take on board what you say about their relationship. I have only heard one side of the story.

Duterte is a reason that I plucked up the courage to go there. However, I know that falling foul of him would mean big problems. I also know that the FCO would offer very little in terms of help.

In the case of Scott, the evidence is there to be seen. I am sure that, if worse came to worse in my situation, assumptions made would require little evidence as proof.

I don't want to criticise a country - particularly not one I am planning on visiting - but some of it's laws are crazy. However, I will respect the laws of their land.

Thanks Pete, I wrote some of my responses during a stressful moment in work - and I have been stressed about this story and visiting Davao for some time. I will talk more with my gf - just confirm where her husband lives, works, and how often he is there in Davao. She used to keep in contact with him about money for their daughter - he recently stopped paying, and they contact each other infrequently (they are still "friends" to a small degree). I should add that he is in the police force.

Our trip takes in visits to different hotels at different points. I think 3 hotels in 2 weeks. If I hadn't known her for so long, I would certainly not be going there next week. Even now, I am nervous. You are right - any relationship like this requires caution.