Is the Philippines Safe? A Real Guide to Safety in Manila

2026年3月17日

When I told my friends that I would be moving to the Philippines, the first question I was always asked was:

“Is the Philippines safe?"

I completely understand why people ask this.

In this article, I’ll share my perspective on safety in the Philippines from someone who actually lives in Metro Manila.

I hope this will be helpful for those who are planning to:

• Travel to the Philippines

• Study English there

• Move for work or be posted with a company

How Japanese People Perceive the Philippines

First, let’s look at the image most Japanese people have of the Philippines.

When I was a child, Japanese TV often aired documentaries about “street children living on garbage dumps.”

Because of this, many Japanese people tend to associate the Philippines with poverty.

On the other hand, some people know the Philippines as an affordable destination for English language study.

Others may think of it as a beautiful resort country, known for its clear, blue seas.

For most Japanese, these are the main images that come to mind when thinking about the Philippines.

The Philippines Has a Large Economic Gap

One important thing to understand is that the Philippines has significant economic disparities.

For example, in the same country, you may see:

• Children begging on the streets instead of going to school

• Kids from wealthy families taking private golf lessons with a dedicated coach

The difference in lifestyle between social classes is more apparent than what we usually see in Japan.

This means that in the Philippines, the safety and atmosphere of a neighborhood can vary greatly depending on where you live.

Before my move, I mostly visited rural areas and resorts,

so my image of the Philippines was somewhat different from the typical perception in Japan.

My Experience in Rural Philippines

Before accompanying my spouse on an overseas assignment, I had visited the Philippines several times.

However, most of my visits were to relatives’ homes in rural areas or resort destinations.

My impression of the Philippines was that, although there were poor families nearby, people generally weren’t struggling to eat.

They seemed to live happily, surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors, despite financial difficulties.

However, Metro Manila presents a completely different environment.

A prime example is Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

BGC: A Modern City in Manila

BGC is one of the most developed areas in Metro Manila.

It features:

• High-rise buildings

• Trendy cafes

• Restaurants

• Large shopping malls

The main street, often called High Street, is lively and bright even at night.

There are also several large parks, where you can see:

• Couples walking their dogs

• Young people jogging or playing badminton

• Students filming dance videos

The atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable.

Safety in BGC, Popular with Expats

BGC is home to many foreign residents and expats.

Walking around the city, I rarely feel unsafe.

But this is partly because residents take safety precautions seriously.

Just like in busy districts in Japan, such as Shibuya or Ginza,

it’s easy to let your guard down, so vigilance is still necessary.

Japanese Victims in BGC

In 2025, there was a robbery targeting Japanese citizens in BGC:

（1）9月3日22：40頃、タギグ市BGC地区（被害者2名）
邦人4名がBGC内25番通りの歩道を歩行中、10番大通り付近にて、犯人Aが拳銃のようなものを被害者Aに向け、身につけていたカバンを渡すよう指示されました。

According to the report:

• Date: September 3, around 10:40 PM
• Location: Taguig City, BGC District
• Incident: Four Japanese nationals were walking on 25th Street near 10th Avenue when one perpetrator pointed what appeared to be a gun at a victim and demanded their bag.

At night, the atmosphere changes noticeably.

The photo I took was around 6:20 PM, when people were starting to head home from work, so the area was still somewhat lively.

The streets are relatively well-lit with streetlights and building lights.

However, as you can imagine from the description:

• There are few restaurants or shops along the street

• It is not a busy commercial area

• Both pedestrian and vehicle traffic are relatively low compared to other parts of BGC

Because of this, the street also makes it easy for cars or motorcycles to stop and wait unnoticed.

The actual incident happened at 10:40 PM, which is much later than when I took the photo, so it’s likely that there were even fewer people around at that time.

In such conditions, it becomes possible for criminals to wait in a vehicle and target someone passing by.

This doesn’t mean BGC is unsafe overall.

However, it shows that even in relatively safe areas, certain environments can become risky depending on time and location.

These are simple but important precautions:

1. Avoid going out late at night whenever possible

2. If you must go out, use a car instead of walking

3. If walking is unavoidable, choose bright and busy streets

A Personal Encounter with Children Begging in BGC

I’d like to share a small personal experience I had in BGC.

One day, I was sitting at an outdoor table at a restaurant when I encountered a group of elementary school-aged children begging.

They looked relatively clean and were on their own, which made me feel that they might have been sent there by their parents.

They approached each table one by one, asking for money, but every customer declined.

As I prepared myself for when they might come to my table, something unexpected happened.

A young woman sitting at the table next to me took her dessert—some orange and watermelon—wrapped it in a paper napkin, and handed it to one of the girls.

Seeing this, I thought, “This is another way to show kindness.”

So I did the same and gave them some of my dessert.

The girl quietly said thank you and went a short distance away to eat.

After a while, a staff member approached her.

I felt a bit nervous, wondering if she would be scolded for begging.

However, the staff member simply spoke to her calmly, and she left without any trouble.

Poverty in the Philippines is a large and complex social issue that individuals cannot easily solve.

However, through this experience, I felt that instead of simply rejecting people, it might be meaningful to think about our own way of showing kindness.

Other Safety Points for Japanese Visitors

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

When traveling from Manila’s airport to the city, I strongly recommend using a ride-hailing app like Grab instead of taking a street taxi.

If you take a regular taxi, there are a few risks:

• You may be charged an overpriced fare once they realize you are a tourist

• You don’t know what kind of driver you will get

• In some cases, people offering taxis and drivers may be working together

For these reasons, using Grab is generally safer.

With Grab:

• You can see the estimated fare in advance

• You can check the driver’s details in the app

• It’s easy to use even if it’s your first time in the Philippines

Also, when you are near the taxi stands at the airport, many people may approach you and offer rides.

To avoid confusion or pressure, it’s best to:

• Move to a calm place inside the airport

• Book your ride through the app there

Intramuros (Historic District)

Intramuros is one of the most famous tourist spots in Manila.

It is a historic walled city from the Spanish colonial period and is home to landmarks such as San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can enjoy:

• Historic buildings

• Cobblestone streets

• A unique old-town atmosphere

There are many tour options available, and it’s common to be approached by people offering tours on the street.

If you are interested, it’s fine to listen—but to avoid trouble, I recommend:

• Booking tours in advance through platforms like GetYourGuide

• Checking the general price range beforehand

Also, be cautious of:

• Pickpockets

• Strangers who approach you in a friendly way

Sometimes, people may seem kind at first but later lead you into scams or uncomfortable situations.

Conclusion

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