Retirement in sindangan Zamboanga Philippines

Peter.levica wrote:

I'm considering retirement in Sandangan Zamboanga Phillippines primarily for the cost of living and possible marriage to a local. What is the risk of getting my butt shot of in this area. I'm a military veteran and am well versed in hand to hand combat and weapons. What are the laws for foreigners and guns for self defense. So far my research tells that it's the equivalent to the Wild West , I realize theirs a risk factor , however if allowed to carry a weapon I'll check out on my own terms.
Please advise.

Hi Pete
you have to be a citizen (not just a permanent resident) of the Philippines to legally own a weapon.  Then ask yourself what type of weapon?  As you are ex military you will have some idea.

Just remember from your military days people directly guarding POW's do hold weapons, because what can happen in the weapon is taken from and then used on the guard, as can happen if some one breaks into your house.

Having said that I would only look at a 22, every one thinks that bigger the better, but a shot will scare most people off, and if you do hit some one, I would be happy facing a court after wounding some one rather than having killed someone.  Unless you have friends in high places you will end up in court and possibly jail.

The other option is to own shot gun if you can do so legally, and do not put shot in the shell.  The sound will have people running away and you do not risk killing someone.

If you are well versed in martial arts, I would maintain that skill prior to owning a gun for the reasons I have pointed out above.

dinky2408 wrote:

Peter,
I see you live in the city, so you have Manila, with more than the usual city life problems, with a good night life, lots of scams and cons. Cebu a smaller city which has nice beaches and a tourist industry with the usual city crime and you have Davao where there is a traffic cop,is at every junction, because the traffic lights only work sometimes, security guards, everywhere employed by retailers, cops around and Military at checkpoints on the outskirts. So you can feel reasonably safe, nightlife very boring, not the selection of restaurants that you get in Manila, people quite conservative and not so many expats as Cebu and Manila. However they do have some good family outdoor activities.There are a few golf courses and Samal Island has a few small sandy beaches, the best thing in my opinion is the abundance of fruit , vegetables and fish in the pen market which you can buy at very reasonable prices. There is also plenty of available furnished houses / condos and accommodation. Its all about how high on the hog you want to live. The women are quite conservative, but nice.

There are better spots on the island of Luzon than Metro Manila.   You might do best by taking an exploratory trip to get a feel for different areas, get to know other expats already there.  Best of luck.

Peter.levica wrote:

I'm planning my trip as follows 1 week in a Manila hotel, don't know which one yet  the Prefered hotel criteria is close to Manila airport (safety &security )and low end budget if that's possible , then on to Cebu for a few weeks same criteria . Your help will be greatly appreciated .
Thank You

Good Luck

Peter.levica wrote:

Can you please advise me on does and donts so that if you don't mind I could benefit from your experience...

What time of the year will you be going to the Philippines?   What do you project as the amount of money you will have to spend each month?  You are collecting military retirement, will social security also kick in or are you already collecting SS?