If you are considering moving to The Philippines you already know that it’s cheap and full of beautiful smiling faces. That’s why there are over 220,000 Americans currently living in the country with 650,000 visiting each year. But there’s a dark side to living here that you should also know about. These last few years proved to be quite dangerous if you are an American living in The Philippines.

While it is relatively safe, foreigners do get killed in The Philippines and usually for the same few reasons.

Manila’s High Crime Rate

Manila in general just has a high crime rate. Fortunately, (or unfortunately) that crime is mostly concentrated in areas where you probably won’t be living in any way. That being said, the chances of being a victim of a robbery, your car being stolen, or physically assaulted are still relatively high compared to other parts of The Philippines. That’s why the US Department of State has designated Manila as a high-threat for crime against US citizens.

Related: Tips & Hacks for Living in Manila

Messing With The Wrong Girl

Too many guys come here thinking with the wrong head and they get involved with the wrong woman. Specifically, they get involved with a woman that is already married or a swindler. There is no divorce in The Philippines and many native Filipinos don’t want ‘second-hand goods’ which is why many girls who have been left by their Filipino men go after foreign men. Often these women will have multiple children from multiple men. The problem arises once her Filipino ex realizes that she now has access to a gold mine. At that point, he’ll reconcile with her, have her convince the expat to buy property in her name, then once she’s squeezed everything she can out of him, or once he becomes more trouble than he’s worth it’s time for him to go.

Related: Signs a Filipina Actually Likes You

Another big issue is stiffing a bar girl. Sometimes guys will get buyers’ remorse after the fact and not want to pay the bar girl for her services. That’s a great way to get yourself arrested if you’re lucky and whacked if you’re not. It doesn’t matter how good or bad it was. Just pay her what you agreed to and move on. It’s not worth your life.

Entering in Shady Business Dealings

The most common shady ‘investment’ guys make here is trying to get around the land ownership prohibition. Listen, if you’re not a citizen or resident you may rent, lease, or own a condo–that’s it! I’ve seen so many guys try to do some stupid tricks like setting up a paper corporation or even using a fake Philippine ID and they always get screwed. What usually happens is the girl (or her family) will sell the land and keep the profits and if he tries to get any of the money he’s disposed of.

If you come here you’ll no doubt be solicited to enter into some sort of ‘investment’ with a local. Don’t do it. New expats that end up investing with a local usually lose their money and when they try to get it back they get whacked. The Philippines has strict laws regarding foreign investment (to protect the oligarchy). I wouldn’t even consider doing any sort of investment here until you’ve been here at least a year; and you’ve spoken to an attorney to see if it’s even legal for you to make such an investment.

Forgetting They Are Not in a 1st World Country

Simon Rawlingson was walking down the street in downtown Naval when two people were waiting for him on a corner. Once the lookout gave the signal his partner in crime shot Mr. Rawlingson in the head once, took his money, and then shot him in the head again before riding away in a motorcycle with his belongings.

Mr. Rawlingson was no stranger to controversy, constantly embroiled in disputes with his neighbors. The New Zealander often spoke out publicly against the mayor and a few other officials over what he perceived as unfair treatment in a land dispute. It is reported that in an argument with his barangay captain the official told him to ‘get f—‘. His neighbors even signed a petition to get him deported from The Philippines. When that didn’t work they took other measures.

Making False Promises

Guys that are tired of paying for fun will make false promises with local girls in order to get the milk without having to buy the cow. They’ll tell them, or imply, that they’re looking to take her back to their home country or that she’ll get a life happily ever after. Many guys justify it in their minds as payback since they’ve been scammed a few times. You can do that but you’re risking your life. Hell hath no fury like a slighted Filipina. A Danish man was recently stabbed and disemboweled by his Filipina after she found out she wasn’t getting a visa to Europe despite letting him on top of her for 6 months. She claims he ‘stabbed himself’. If you’re interested in meeting Filipinas take a look at my dating resources page.

Related: Dating In The Philippines? Here’s What to Expect

Getting Into Bar Fights

Recently an expat was shot and killed in a bar fight in The City of Silay, Negros Occidental. Eric Henderson was minding his own business at a bar when two locals asked him for cash. He declined and they insulted him in their native tongue which he understood. Once he confronted them a fight ensued and they shot him dead. He left behind a wife and three children that he was going to adopt and take back to America. Bars are a big source of trouble for expats. Whenever alcohol is involved sometimes expats forget they’re in a country where the rule of law is a luxury that they don’t have.

Related: Ria Money Transfer vs TransferWise

How to Stay Safe in The Philippines

If you are traveling alone to Manila or The Philippines for that matter, there are some common-sense tips you can use to stay safe.

Think with the right head

Avoid bar fights

Don’t try to ‘cheat the system’. Specifically, when it comes to trying to loop around the land ownership laws

Don’t lie for sex

Choose the right self-defense tool

Hold off on investing or trying to start a business right away

If you get cheated just suck it up and move on

Get More Useful Tips for Living In The Philippines