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why winston did not give out these travel warnings


from the Canadian government

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/ ... ?id=239000

Exercise high degree of caution

The authorities in the Philippines have implemented enhanced screening measures at all international airports in response to the H1N1 Flu Virus outbreak. Travellers entering the Philippines are subject to a body temperature check. In some cases, travellers may be isolated and treated.

Continuing reports suggest that there is an ongoing terrorist threat to Westerners and Western interests in the Philippines. Philippine authorities have warned that there may be bomb attacks in Manila and other key cities. Visitors can expect to be subject to frequent security checks at public and private facilities, including shopping malls and public transportation. Travel at night outside of metropolitan areas should be avoided.

Recent reports indicate that there may be an elevated risk of foreigners being kidnapped in Masbate Province.

Bombings and crime-related shootings have occurred in Mindanao, Manila and other parts of the country, and explosive devices continue to be discovered by security authorities. Canadians should be vigilant and comply with all security procedures.

Canadians should avoid large crowds, monitor local news reports, and be prepared to use alternative routes if roads become blocked due to rallies. The security situation remains uncertain and the risk of protests exists. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and avoid any protests or demonstrations as the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

The Philippines is subject to typhoons. Canadians should be aware that storms could occur quickly, veer in unexpected directions and quickly increase in intensity. Typhoons are usually accompanied by high winds and heavy rain. Canadians should monitor the regional weather forecasts and follow the advice of the local authorities. During any storm, flash floods and mudslides may occur. Delivery of essential services may be interrupted including medical services, power and telecommunications. Transportation routes and infrastructure damage may occur and Canadians are advised to maintain a flexible schedule to allow for unexpected interruptions.

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), comprising Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Sharif Kabunsuan, as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Saragani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur (excluding urban areas of Davao City), South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. Canadians living in these areas should reassess their security situation. Clashes since August 2008 have killed dozens of people, including civilians. There continues to be a threat of terrorist attacks, which could occur at anytime in this region. On March 31, 2009, a state of emergency was imposed on the island of Jolo due to the kidnapping of three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In the recent past there have been several bombings in a number of locations, including (but not limited to) Cotabato, Kidapawan, Zamboanga City, General Santos City, Iligan City and Davao City causing several deaths and numerous injuries.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

The threat of terrorist activities exists, particularly in Mindanao. Bombs have exploded in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas. Further explosions are possible anywhere in the country.

Canadians should be alert to the danger of kidnapping in the Philippines. Although government action has reduced the frequency of kidnappings, there remain reports of planned kidnap-for-ransom of business people. Kidnappings have occurred throughout the country, including in Manila and several resort areas, and deaths have resulted in some cases. Canadians should be cautious when travelling to, and around, coastal areas and island resorts.

Crime continues to be a serious concern, especially in Manila. Avoid displays of affluence such as jewellery. Do not carry large sums of money, and keep valuables in safekeeping facilities. Criminal gangs are active in Manila, including the Makati central business district, and have drugged and robbed unsuspecting tourists. Visitors should not accept offers of food, drink, or transportation from strangers, and should not leave food or drinks unattended, particularly in bars. Bystanders have been hit by stray gunfire in armed robberies and subsequent pursuit of the perpetrators. Avoid disturbances, rallies and demonstrations.

Canadians should exercise caution when using public transportation, including buses and the light rail system, due to safety and security concerns. Incidents of taxi drivers using threats to extort money from passengers have been reported. Visitors should arrange to be met at airports, use hotel transportation, or use the taxi booking services in arrival halls. Use officially marked taxis only and do not share them with strangers. Ferry accidents are not uncommon in the Philippines due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels. Caution and common sense should be exercised when using marine transportation in the Philippines. Travellers are advised not to board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy. Safety standards differ from those in Canada.

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.



4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the Philippines. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into the country. Canadians must also be in possession of an onward or return ticket.

As of March 1, 2008, Canadians do not require a visa for stays up to 21 days. Canadians intending to stay for more than 21 days must apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Philippines in Canada. Alternatively, they may apply for an extension before the 21 day period expires at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration while in the country.

The Philippine government is vigorously enforcing immigration and entry laws. For this reason, all Canadians travelling to the Philippines should ensure they have the proper and valid visa. Canadians have been apprehended for having improper visas or violating immigration laws. Offenders can expect jail sentences, fines, and/or deportation and may also be prohibited from entering the Philippines in the future. Therefore, it is important that all travellers ensure they meet all entry requirements prior to their departure from Canada.

An Airport Users Charge of 750 pesos (payable in local currency or the equivalent in U.S. dollars, in cash only) is required upon departure from the international airport in Manila.

From the U.S government
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... s_999.html

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines without a visa upon presentation of their U.S. passport, valid for at least six months after the date of entry into the Philippines, and a return ticket to the United States or an onward ticket to another country. Upon arrival, immigration authorities will annotate the traveler’s passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days. If the traveler plans to stay longer than 21 days, he/she must apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation's main office at Magallanes Drive; Intramuros, Manila, Philippines or at any of its provincial offices.

Persons who overstay their visas are subject to fines and detention by Philippine immigration authorities. American citizens are urged to remain aware of their visa status while in the Philippines and to strictly follow immigration laws and regulations. Travelers departing the country from international airports must pay a Passenger Service Charge in Philippine Pesos. Visit the Embassy of the Philippines web site for the most current visa information.

Special requirements exist for the entry of unaccompanied minors. In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Philippine Government requires that a waiver of exclusion be obtained from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate or from the Bureau of Immigration and Detention in Manila for a child under 15 years of age who plans to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by either a parent or legal guardian prior to the child's entry into the Philippines.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism. While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the Philippines, the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular concern. Travelers should exercise extreme caution in both central and western Mindanao as well as in the Sulu Archipelago. For further information regarding the continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities in the southern Philippines, see the Philippine Travel Warning.

Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Jema’ah Islamiyah and groups that have broken away from the more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries and property damage. In November 2007, a bombing outside the House of Representatives in Metro Manila resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to bystanders. On January 3, 2008, a bomb exploded at a Cotabato City disco pub, killing one and injuring eight. The central and western areas of Mindanao have also experienced bombings targeting bus terminals and public buildings. While those responsible do not appear to have targeted foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas; U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao, U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own private security personnel.

Kidnap-for-ransom gangs operate in the Philippines and sometimes target foreigners, as well as Filipino-Americans. The New People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist organization, operates in many rural areas of the Philippines, including in the northern island of Luzon. While it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business or property management activities, and it often demands “revolutionary taxes.�

Americans in the Philippines are advised to monitor local news broadcasts and consider the level of preventive security when visiting public places, especially when choosing hotels, restaurants, beaches, entertainment venues, and recreation sites.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

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CRIME: As in many of the major metropolitan areas in the United States, crime is a significant concern in Metro Manila. As a rule of thumb, Americans should exercise good judgment and remain aware of their surroundings. Reports of confidence games, pick pocketing, internet scams and credit/ATM card fraud are common. American citizens should be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to befriend them, especially just after arrival in country. A number of robberies and assaults involving the “date rape drug� (known locally as Ativan) have occurred; the drug is generally administered to unwitting male or female victims via food or drink. It is best not to accept food, drink, or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even if they appear legitimate. While Americans are not typically targeted for kidnapping, kidnappings and violent assaults do occur in the Metro Manila area.

Taxis are the recommended form of public transportation. However, the following safeguards are important: do not enter a taxi if it has already accepted another passenger; and request that the meter be used. If the driver is unwilling to comply with your requests, it is best to wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make a mental note of the license plate number should there be a problem. When driving in the city, make certain that the doors are locked and the windows rolled up. All other forms of public transportation, such as the light rail system, buses and “jeepneys� should be avoided for both safety and security reasons.

Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One common form of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an electronic device to retrieve and record information, including the PIN, from the card's magnetic strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized purchases. To limit your vulnerability to this scam, never let your card out of your sight.

A continuing problem is the commercial scam or sting that attempts to sell or to seek negotiation of fraudulent U.S. securities. Visitors and residents should be wary when presented with supposed Federal Reserve Notes or U.S. securities for sale or negotiation. For further information, consult the Federal Reserve System's web site.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm.

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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. The Philippines has a victim compensation program to provide financial compensation to victims of violent or personal crime and of unjust imprisonment. Information may be obtained from the Philippine Department of Justice at 011-632-536-0447.

The local equivalent to the “911� emergency line in the Philippines is 117.

Please see our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the Philippines’ laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Philippines are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Marriage in the Philippines: The Philippine Government requires foreigners who wish to marry in the Philippines to obtain from the U.S. Embassy a “Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage� before filing an application for a marriage license. Because there is no national register of marriages in the United States, the U.S. Embassy cannot provide such a certification. As a result, the Philippine Government will accept an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage� in its place. American citizens may execute this affidavit at the U.S. Embassy in Manila Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., except for Philippine or American holidays. The American citizen must present his/her U.S. passport. The fee for the affidavit is $30.00 or its peso equivalent. Philippine authorities will not accept any substitute document issued in the United States. Before traveling to the Philippines to be married, U.S. military personnel should contact their personnel office regarding Department of Defense joint service regulations.
Execution of the affidavit by a U.S. consular officer is a notarial act, and the consular officer is authorized by U.S. law to refuse to perform the service if the document will be used for a purpose patently unlawful, improper, or inimical to the best interests of the United States (see 22 C.F.R. section 92.9b). Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is an unlawful act, and the U.S. Code provides penalties for individuals who commit perjury in an affidavit taken by a consular officer. Relationship fraud is a persistent problem in the Philippines and it is not uncommon for Filipinos to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation.

The Marriage Application Process: Once an American citizen has obtained from the U.S. Embassy an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage,� he/she may file an application for a marriage license at the office of the Philippine Civil Registrar in the town or city where one of the parties is a resident. The U.S. citizen applicant must present: (a) the affidavit; (b) divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s), if applicable (required toverify civil status and legal capacity to contract marriage); (c) his/her U.S. passport; and (d) documentation regarding parental consent or advice, if applicable. (Persons aged 18 to 21 must have written parental consent to marry in the Philippines; those aged 22 to 24 must have received parental advice. Philippine law prohibits marriage for persons under the age of 18.) A judge, a minister, or other person authorized by the Philippine Government can perform the marriage.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen confers neither citizenship nor an automatic eligibility for entry to the United States. A foreign spouse requires an immigrant visa to live in the United States. Questions about filing a petition to bring a foreign spouse to the United States may be directed to the nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service office, to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Office (telephone: (202) 663-1225) or, while in the Philippines, to the U.S. Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit.

Disaster Preparedness: The Philippines is a volcano-, typhoon- and earthquake-prone country. From May to December, typhoons and flash floods often occur. Flooding can cause road delays and cut off bridges. Typhoons in the vicinity of the Philippines can interrupt air and sea links within the country. Updated information on typhoons is available at http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph. Volcanic activity is frequent, and periodically the Philippine Government announces alerts for specific volcanoes. Updated information on volcanoes in the Philippines is available from the U.S. Geological Survey. Earthquakes can also occur throughout the country. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Customs: Philippine customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Philippines of items such as currency and firearms. The transport of ammunition is illegal and Philippine officials have arrested Americans for having even a small number of bullet shells in their luggage. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, DC or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco) for specific information regarding customs requirements. Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in the Philippines; transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Why did Winston not tell you this? Because Winston is a reckless individual with little consideration for his own well being, let alone others. His travel advice is also basically limited to where you can pick up hookers for low prices. You will find the same warnings for Indonesia as well along with Thailand.

"Bad news travels fast". Think of England and you think "IRA bombings! Oh no!" Think of Italy or Russia and you think "Mafia! Oh no!" Think of America and you think "M13 gang! Serial killers! Guns! Oh no!!!" Heck, think of Germany and we still think "Nazis!" Think of Canada and you think of people being beheaded in the back of a Greyhound bus!

And yes, think of the Philippines, and you think kidnapping (one case every few years; happens in the U.S. too), typhoons (hurricanes and tornadoes in the U.S. anyone? I think Philippines houses are built out of reinforced concrete, not plywood as in America!), credit card crime (well gee, that never happens in the U.S., does it?), robberies, dangerous taxis etc. etc.... none of these ever happen in the U.S., Canada or anywhere else do they?

These are all just little rumors that fly out of the mouths of people who in most cases have never even visited the country they are writing about. I have traveled to many places, and heard many advance warnings such as this. The vast majority of them are sheer nonsense with a laughable risk of happening. Sure, some unlucky guy will get mugged or stung by a jellyfish or whatever, but 100,000 others won't. And who makes the evening news?

RiDdLeR... the notion that I and many others have of Australia includes killer snakes and spiders EVERYWHERE, rednecks having wall-to-wall 'barbies', a dusty desert with frequent wildfires, 'Crocodile Dundee' characters wherever you look etc. etc. My guess is that life in Australia is nothing like that; that these are just minor features of Australian life that real Australians and visitors to Australia rarely even think about. Am I right? Don't you think it a bit silly that the foreign media are always promoting this image?

Yes, of course, be careful wherever you go (even Vatican City!), and read travel books written by experienced travelers to these countries, not nincompoop government officials sitting behind a desk in Toronto or Washington DC!

Of course, Third World countries have a lot of internal problems. But whereas Third World immigrants are often mocked and despised in rich countries, foreigners are generally given the red carpet treatment in poor countries. People in most Asian countries will give extra attention (in a nice, helpful way) to anyone they see having white skin or speaking a foreign language.

Furthermore, Third World governments are in general far less constricting than in the West. Go to America or England and your face and license plate will be captured on dozens if not hundreds of cameras every day. Go to a Third World country and you won't even see police around much, let alone cameras. It should also be borne in mind that virtually ANY problem in a Third World country can be dealt with through a small (often very small) 'consideration' (aka bribe). That may sound like a bad thing, but when did you last try to get out of trouble with the police in a Western country? Doesn't happen very often, or the 'considerations' need to be huge. Ever feel repressed by all the laws in your Western country that you don't even know about? The 100,000+ laws in the U.S., with more than 20 new ones being passed every day? Bribes are a way of cutting through ridiculous bureaucratic control and red tape that exists in almost all countries... and it's cheap in poor countries.

Western governments are rich... because of YOU, the taxpayer (well, not in Wu, Gimmpy, Marco, Jakey, Gordan's sorry cases.) And what do they use this money for? Amongst other things, they use it for legislating against, spying on and threatening YOU. In Third World countries the governments are very poor, because of low tax revenues and political corruption. This in turn means that they LEAVE THE PEOPLE ALONE. As a citizen of a 'civilized' country, I much prefer the atmosphere of freedom in poor countries. I should also mention the good, inexpensive health care in Third World countries, where a full-featured private hospital room will cost you perhaps $25 per night, not $1,200 as in the U.S. And where a cut will cost $10 to stitch up, not $1,000 as in the U.S.!

I disagree that Wu (or anyone else) should be giving these warnings. A FAR worse offense is his pretending that everything will be just wonderful for the penniless sex-starved parents'-basement-dwelling fool who turns up in the Philippines or in any other country for that matter. Air travel costs MONEY. Accommodation (including furnishings) costs MONEY. Good food costs MONEY. Transport costs MONEY. A foreign lifestyle, which will inevitably make use of imported goods costs (in the case of Western products) the SAME or MORE even in poor countries. Like I wrote elsewhere, do you think car manufacturers say, "Ohhh, you are in a POOR country. We'll just reduce the price of that car by 50% for you!" No, of course not. But poor countries often impose high import duties (I've heard of 100% and even 400% in the case of Malaysia), making things more costly than in the Western countries that these fools left.

Winston pretends that it is easy to find work, when after almost 3 years he has not had ANY job except putting up this puke of a web site and earning $100 per month in ad revenue from it. He pretends that you can 'bang a different normal nice hottie' every day, when in fact he hires prostitutes. You can hire prostitutes in 204 out of 208 countries of the world.

Izzy wrote:RiDdLeR... the notion that I and many others have of Australia includes killer snakes and spiders EVERYWHERE, rednecks having wall-to-wall 'barbies', a dusty desert with frequent wildfires, 'Crocodile Dundee' characters wherever you look etc. etc.

CRIKEY! You're not too far wrong LOL! Queensland and the NT are exactly like described

Izzy wrote:My guess is that life in Australia is nothing like that; that these are just minor features of Australian life that real Australians and visitors to Australia rarely even think about. Am I right? Don't you think it a bit silly that the foreign media are always promoting this image?

Yeah, they do sensationalise everything. Look at the swine flu. What a crock that is. No worse than the common cold

TheRiDdLeR wrote:Yeah, they do sensationalise everything. Look at the swine flu. What a crock that is. No worse than the common cold

Governments worldwide should be far more concerned about the chronic carrier Wu entering their countries. No, not Swine Flu (although the name suits him very well), but Winstonitis Stupidicus, or W1N1. W1N1 affects economies worldwide by hindering the free flow of money and draining old folks of their savings, burdening states' budgets with supporting unwanted children, fueling prostitution, and creating epidemics of nausea in its immediate vicinity.

I love to find out more about health care in the philipines. Yes a hospital bed is $25 rather than $1,200 but is that really up to western standards? Sure simple things like getting a dengue fever shot is inexpensive but what about having a heart attack?

I found a dental place that wanted $1,200 for a dental implant--that's about what it costs here. Is high quality medicine cheap in the Philipines?

Anyone have real experience with this?

Sephardic Male, why did you post this here and not in the Philippines section?

I don't keep up with the news, that's why I didn't know about it. I am not your mother, for crying out loud, each person here can keep up with the news on other websites. I don't follow the news because they try to make you live in fear, and overhype and exaggerate every little bad thing. I don't want people living in fear.

They never tell you anything useful on the news anyway. It's stupid.

Anyone who wants to, can visit the US Embassy website for such warnings.

As for you Izzy, your long post up there gives away who you are.

Only Stefan would know the exact cost of a hospital stay in the Philippines. What a coincidence. How do you know so much about the Philippines? And you know about England too, since you used to live there.

You also share all his views too. And you have his humor. And I've heard Stefan at the dinner table espouse all those views you espoused above. You just gave yourself away yet again.

You suck at strategy and secrecy. You never had me fooled though. I knew who you were all along.