Traveler Toolkit
Philippines Country Security Report
Philippines Country Security Report
Published: July 13, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Philippines Travel Advisory and Philippines Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000
Tel: +63-2-5301-2000
Waterfront Hotel, Lower Ground Floor, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines
Tel: +63-32-231-1261
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The OSAC Manila Country Chapter is an extremely active chapter with regular meetings.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Philippines Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution when traveling to the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Terrorist and armed groups in the Sulu Archipelago and the Sulu Sea have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom on land and at sea, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, local government entities, and security personnel.
Do not travel to Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest. Civilians face risk of death or injury from ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi.
Reconsider travel to other areas of Mindanao (except Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island, and the Dinagat Islands) due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, as well as civilians, local government entities, and security forces.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manila as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Philippines, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
The crime emergency line in Philippines is 911.
Crime: General Threat
Crimes of opportunity, including some violent crime, occur in Manila and other large cities. Crime continues to remain a significant concern in urban areas of the Philippines. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, theft, physical assault, and robbery were among the most common crimes reported to local authorities. Other common crimes included pickpocketing, confidence schemes, Internet scams, and credit card fraud. Carjacking, robberies, and violent assaults also occurred throughout the country.
Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in the Philippines. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include romance/online dating; money transfers; lucrative sales; gold purchase; contracts with promises of large commissions; grandparent/relative targeting; free trip/luggage; lotteries; inheritance notices; work permits/job offers; and bank overpayments.
Crimes against person, such as physical injuries and sexual assault, do exist. Victims have reported robberies committed by taxi drivers and/or individuals using stolen taxicabs. Reports of crime associated with other ride-sharing services are relatively uncommon. The most common form of crime is phone snatching where a motorbike drives by and snatches the phone from the subject usually waiting for a ride share service.
Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend you, especially just after you arrive in country. Do not accept food, drinks, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear to be legitimate. Solo travelers have been drugged and robbed by strangers after accepting an invitation to visit a tourist destination.
There have been reports of credit card and ATM fraud; one common form of credit/ATM card fraud involves an illicit electronic device attached to ATM card readers that retrieves and records information, including the PIN, from a card's magnetic strip. Use credit cards only at major retail facilities and banks. Always check bills or statements for suspicious charges.
On Monday, June 22, 2026, two students aged 14 and 15 opened fire on students at San Jose High School in Tacloban. The attack resulted in the deaths of 3 students. This attack has not tied to terrorism, or specific motive. News sources identified that the shooters had been victims of bullying, but no clear motive has been identified.
The Philippines continues to be a country of concern for human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Crime: Areas of Concern
U.S. government employees must seek authorization for travel to Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Sulu Sea.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Philippines, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
Kidnapping for ransom (KFR) is a persistent problem throughout the Philippines. Over the years, KFR payments have become a reliable source of funding for various insurgent groups in the Philippines. In southern Mindanao, KFR injects significant amounts of money into the local economy, which could suggest tacit support by the local populace. From January 2024 – February 2025, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) reported 40 kidnappings, with 10 involving Chinese nationals kidnapped by Chinese perpetrators. In 2023 alone, the PNP handled 20 kidnapping cases.
The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) is primarily responsible for kidnapping investigations. Kidnapping victims are predominantly Philippine and Chinese citizens. AKG officials report kidnappers in Mindanao are mostly Muslim extremist individuals/groups. While kidnappings occur throughout the country, most cases appear to be criminal and related to casinos and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manila as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Manila, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Terrorist violence continues to affect primarily the Mindanao region, in the country’s south. Notable groups include the ISIS-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the Maute Group, as well as the insurgent communist New People’s Army (NPA). Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the southern regions of the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.
Due to increased success by the Philippines counter terrorism operations, much of the ASG has been dismantled. ASG numbers are estimated to be approximately 50 active members, a significant decline from the approximate 1,296 members estimated in 2016. Operational effectiveness of ASG is significantly degraded, with the Philippines government announcing the province of Basilan “free” of ASG as of June 9, 2025.
Certain areas, including Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Sulu Sea represent a higher security risk. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and thus have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in those areas.
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) continued to dedicate significant resources to countering threats from terrorist groups that operate primarily, but not exclusively, in the country’s southern regions. For more than a decade, terrorists, insurgents, and criminal actors have conducted major attacks against civilians, mostly in southern and western Mindanao and on the islands of Basilan and Sulu. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and civilian law enforcement units remained engaged in counterterrorism (CT) operations.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manila as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Philippines, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Historically, elections have led to acts of violence targeting candidates throughout the country. Incidents of unrest have typically not resulted in widespread civil disturbances or large-scale partisan clashes. Following Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s electoral victory in May 2022, protests broke out across the country denouncing the results; there were no recorded widespread incidences of violence.
Protests & Demonstrations
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) may consider the participation of foreigners in demonstrations or political rallies in the Philippines to be a violation of the terms of admission. Authorities may detain and deport foreign nationals who participate in demonstrations, political rallies, or other activity deemed anti-government in nature for violating immigration laws.
Protests happen in the Philippines and could turn violent and/or result in traffic jams and road closures with limited capacity of the local government to respond.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
The Government of the Philippines has in the past echoed anti-U.S. sentiment based largely on policy issues, but the general population does not demonstrate anti-U.S. bias.
Law Enforcement
The PNP is charged with maintaining internal security in most of the country and reports to the Department of the Interior and Local Governments. The PNP employs approximately 170,000 personnel within Regional Police Offices. Each division exercises independent control over all police units within its respective area of operation.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines report to the Department of National Defense and have domestic security functions in regions where the government assesses a high incidence of terrorist or separatist insurgent activity, particularly in the Mindanao region. The PNP and armed forces share responsibility for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. The PNP’s Special Action Force is responsible for PNP counterterrorism operations.
Governors, mayors, and other local officials have considerable influence over local police units, including appointment of top provincial and municipal police officers and the provision of resources. In some rural areas, the central government continued a long-standing practice of supporting and arming civilian militias, which often received minimal training and were poorly monitored and regulated. Some political families and clan leaders, particularly in Mindanao, maintained private militias.
Civilian control over some security forces is not fully effective. There have been credible reports that members of the security forces committed numerous abuses. There have been numerous reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by police in connection with antidrug operations.
Police Response
The PNP is a capable force but is limited in its ability to respond to and assist victims of crime and traffic accidents due to a lack of response vehicles, radios, and other essential equipment.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Traffic jams and aggressive driving are commonplace in large cities, including in Metro Manila. Roads are often congested, and drivers may be unpredictable. Be aware of the proliferation of motor bikes throughout the country. Avoid driving off the national highways and other paved roads, especially at night. Be extra vigilant when crossing the street. Do not expect vehicles to stop. If you are involved in an automobile accident, there are certain steps you should follow to help ensure everyone’s safety, to obey the law and reporting requirements, and to begin the insurance claim process.
If you are involved in an accident, Philippine law requires you stop your vehicle. Follow the guidance of traffic enforcers at the scene and when safe, move the vehicles from the road to clear for oncoming traffic. Alert other drivers by turning on your hazard lights so that you will be more visible. Do not leave the scene of an accident—even a minor one—unless you have a safety or security concern, and then immediately contact the local police. Attempt to stay inside your car until the police arrive before engaging with the other driver. Do not attempt to negotiate with drivers until police arrive. Drivers often ignore or do not yield to emergency vehicles, which may delay their arrival to the scene of an accident.
Visitors can drive in the Philippines using a foreign driver's license for up to 90 days, after which a foreign license must be converted to a Philippine license.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Taxis: The safest way to travel using taxis is to ask a hotel, restaurant, or business establishment to call a reliable taxi service. Most taxi services (especially metered taxis and similar car services) remain safe and reliable, however there have been safety issues using taxis. In addition, reputable ride-sharing services are also a safe and affordable means of transportation. Always use extra caution when hailing taxis on the street. Consider texting/calling a friend or local contact to provide the number/name of the vehicle/driver upon entering the taxi. Do not share taxis with strangers. Before getting into any taxi, always check to see if the fare meter is functioning. If the taxi does not have a functioning meter, or if the driver refuses to use the meter, do not use that taxi.
Rideshares: The availability and use of ride-sharing services in metro Manila has increased significantly. These services have generally proven to be very efficient and convenient.
Ferry Services: Exercise caution while traveling by inter-island ferryboats or other public transportation. Avoid overcrowded or unsafe transport. There have been 19 major inter-island ferryboat accidents since 2012, two with significant loss of life. U.S. government employees are advised not to use inter-island ferry boat services unless they are the only means of transportation available.
Bus Services: There have also been a series of bus accidents due to poor bus maintenance or driver error. Ride-sharing services and taxis are the recommended form of public transportation.
Aviation Concerns
There are no particular aviation concerns. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Philippine’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Philippine’s air carrier operations.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Maritime Security
Mariners planning travel to the Philippines should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in the Philippines, review the local laws and circumstances on the U.S. Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Philippines.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by public officials, but the government does not implement these laws effectively, and officials frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity. Prolonged delays in the justice system reinforce the perception of impunity for the security forces and for national, provincial, and local government actors accused of corruption and human rights abuses.
Health Concerns
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Philippines. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
The medical emergency line in the Philippines is 911. Adequate medical care is available in major cities, but not all Philippine hospitals uphold the standards of care, sanitation, and equipment of hospitals in the U.S.; health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards. Public medical clinics lack basic supplies and resources. Medical care is limited in rural and remote areas. In addition, traffic patterns in Manila may prevent first responders from reaching persons in need. There are many Western-trained Filipino doctors who are generally capable of providing quality medical care, even with substandard medical facilities. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.
Ambulance services are not widely available, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Not all ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most hospitals will require a down payment of estimated fees at the time of admission and full payment prior to discharge. In some cases, public and private hospitals have withheld lifesaving medicines and treatment until receiving payment. Many hospitals will not release a patient until receiving full payment for services.
U.S. citizens have lodged many complaints about unethical business practices, prices, and collection measures against some of the hospitals in the Philippines. Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care. Be aware that some hotels or resorts may have exclusive agreements with medical providers, which may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention. Medical staff may speak little or no English. Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The prevalence of HIV in the Philippines is low by global standards, but the country has one of the fastest rates of increase in southeast Asia.
The U.S. Department of State has/not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Philippines, indicating that health risks are present, including current disease outbreaks or crises that disrupt a country’s medical infrastructure. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies, and Typhoid vaccinations are recommended.
Tuberculosis, Dengue, Chikungunya, Measles, Zika, Malaria, and Polio are prevalent in the Philippines. Those living in or traveling to the Philippines should ensure they are vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all U.S. citizens living in or traveling to the Philippines be fully vaccinated against polio. Before traveling to the Philippines, adults who have completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster of polio vaccine.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
There are no issues for travelers carrying a personal supply of medications to the Philippines. Counterfeit medication is common in the Philippines; purchase medication from reputable locations.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Water quality in the Philippines is generally poor and unpotable. High levels of organic and inorganic contaminants are common and vary with the seasons and region. Water shortages are an ongoing concern during the dry season. Coliform bacterial contamination increases during the wet season and industrial pollutants affect many water sources.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Philippines, indicating that a natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
Typhoons: The Philippines experiences 25% of global typhoons – about 20 typhoons yearly. Typhoon season normally runs from November to February. In addition to the destructive power of the actual storm, typhoons impose significant threat to human lives and infrastructure because they lead to a variety of other issues such as heavy rains, strong winds, mudslides, supply shortages, and utility outages.
Typhoon Ragasa (September 22, 2025), Bualoi (September 25, 2025), Matmo (October 3, 2025) all struck the Philippines within several weeks, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, and flooding. Typhoon Bualoi killed at least 37 people, and displaced thousands in the region. The deadliest storm to hit the Philippines in 2025, Typhoon Kalmaegi, made landfall on November 4, 2025. Typhoon Kalmaegi killed 188 people and displaced over 550,000 individuals from the island of Cebu.
Earthquakes: The Philippines are also prone to earthquakes. On September 30, 2025, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Cebu killing at least 68 and injuring 550. The earthquake preceded Typhoon Kalmaegi, with citizens unprepared for the compounded impacts of subsequent natural disasters.
Other environmental issues affecting the Philippines include flooding, air and water pollution, deforestation, landslides, and coastal erosion..
Review OSAC’s reports, Landslides: What Are They and How to Prepare, Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime, in general, is common in the Philippines, and contributes to the overall threat environment. Phishing, SMShing, and other types of cyber-enabled fraud are prevalent. Use caution in digital interactions.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counter-intelligence Issues
China maintains keen economic and security interests in in the region. Travelers and organizations should not maintain any personal or proprietary information on electronic devices that would cause them harm in the case that it ended up in the hands of an adversary or competitor.
Import/Export Restrictions
A complete listing of items that are regulated, restricted, or prohibited from import/export is available on the Philippines Bureau of Customs website.
There are no restrictions on the import of satellite phones.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.