Even prior to what happened to Pia last week, I was wondering if she is really safe in her own Barangay or even her own City.
While Pia was at University, I never went to meet her after class or anything as it was felt that people knowing about me might cause jealousy etc. with people in the school. Only her closest classmates knew about me. Since the wedding and me attending her graduation so many more people know.
Pia has even had people she does not know laughing and making sexually rude comments to her about me on the street. Others just recognise her as having a foreigner husband and talk to her about it. People see her differently now and sadly, life as she knew it has really changed forever. Pia was previously getting texts on her old mobile from complete strangers who would say things like, "I'm selling my car/house/lot and was given your number as someone said that you might buy it". Things have changed.
In a back drop of recent and attempted kidnappings of the mestiza children of foreigners, foreigner robberies and foreigner spouses being shot in their shop locally, the question is what can I do to protect Pia while I am here.
Tatay does not want Pia going out at the moment and other family members are concerned about her safety too and for the first time Pia is feeling that she is no longer able to be herself and free while there.
I wanted Pia to go to Nasipit to stay with her aunt until I go to meet her but obviously she wants to be at home, as she is concerned about her visa documents being successfully processed and sent back and wanting to be there if they are.
As much as I don't like the idea and I know she wont be keen either, I am seriously considering asking her to think about hiring a guard to sleep outside the house during the night and to escort her on the few occasions she will venture into the city proper. The guard would have to be low profile, which kinda defeats the purpose, so that neighbours don't know he's there. It's not a good idea as it would just reinforce the perception Pia is rich. As I said, I can see many things to dislike about that but had to consider it as I need Pia to be safe!
Have the ladies on here noticed that things have changed for them locally in terms of how they are now regarded and their feelings of being safe and how do you and your hubbies/bfs handle these issues?
