Philippines are relaxing entry rules

The Philippines are relaxing entry requirements for tourists. However, those planning a trip should be careful because many regions of the country are not safe.

For example, in some regions there is a risk of kidnapping by Islamist terrorists. How the security situation in the Philippines is and what the new Corona entry rules are like.

The Philippines further facilitates entry for international tourists. Previously mandatory Covid tests before departure will no longer apply to international travelers from next week, according to the national task force to contain the corona pandemic.

The prerequisite is that the guests have received at least one booster vaccination. The previously required travel insurance is no longer necessary.

Dangerous regions of the Philippines

Anyone who is currently planning a trip to the Philippines should also know which regions are dangerous. According to the Federal Foreign Office, these are the following:

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Davao Region (Region XI) excluding the metropolitan area of ​​Davao City
Soccsksargen (Region XII)
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Islands of the Sulu Archipelago
South Palawan except Puerto Princesa
“Unnecessary travel to other regions of Mindanao and the Mindanao Sea is discouraged,” the website said.

In addition, there is a very high crime rate. “There is pickpocketing, handbag theft, e.g. by motorcyclists, and various scams. Locals in particular are at risk of serious violent crimes, but the number of attacks on foreigners by organized gangs and individual perpetrators is also increasing. This also affects car traffic and, for example, vehicles waiting at traffic lights.”

Increase crime rate and corruption

Travel security expert Sven Leidel has long considered the situation in the Philippines dangerous. “In addition to the aforementioned security concerns in connection with a currently high risk of kidnapping, there is also an increased crime rate and above-average corruption as well as possible demonstrations, unrest and attacks by terrorist organizations and rebel groups (e.g. Moro Islamic Liberation Front/MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters/BIFF). Risk potential of the Philippines,” Leidel told TRAVELBOOK in 2020.

The author of the “Handbook on Travel Safety” points out that in the past attacks have mainly affected “soft targets” that are difficult or impossible to protect. This means, for example, shopping centers, market places, sights, airports and local public transport as well as government and police buildings.

Danger from active volcanoes

Another danger factor in the Philippines are the active volcanoes on the islands. The country lies on the Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active zones on earth. Currently 53 volcanoes in the Philippines are active. Among them is the supervolcano Taal, which the website Volcano Discovery currently classifies as restless. And according to the Federal Foreign Office, the following still applies: “Volcano eruptions and ash rain with an impact on air traffic are possible at any time.”