Safety in Sipadan/Mabul islands

[gee13]

Trad66 the irony is youre more at risk at home in the usa than remote sipadan. Just go and enjoy the diving!

 

[Kupu]

Sorry but thus far, there have been too many kidnappings and so forth on Mindanao Island for it to be isolated to specific areas of the area. Hence my comment.

I respect the fact that you have been in Borneo a long time and are qualified to comment on the area, but have you been to Mindanao?

Centrals is correct in his statement. I have visited various areas of the island over the past 8 years and spent months at a time in General Santos and Davao. I have found friendly people and very good diving. Although it is true there are areas to avoid, it is a large island and saying that all of Mindanao is unsafe is simply not true.

With regards to Sipidan, I visited 8 years ago and would love to go back.

 

[The Wolf]

I respect the fact that you have been in Borneo a long time and are qualified to comment on the area, but have you been to Mindanao?

Centrals is correct in his statement. I have visited various areas of the island over the past 8 years and spent months at a time in General Santos and Davao. I have found friendly people and very good diving. Although it is true there are areas to avoid, it is a large island and saying that all of Mindanao is unsafe is simply not true.

With regards to Sipidan, I visited 8 years ago and would love to go back.

Yes I have. I served for a period of time there not too long ago and was in the military so yes, I think I am qualified to give a risk assessment of the region between South Philp. and North Borneo. I am not saying people there are not friendly. I am stating the threat of kidnapping is HIGH and the area is also active with known terrorists. You can't blindfold people and expect them not to realize this.

It is a hot spot and until the AS are put out of business for good, it's a red area.

 

[vladimir]

I have on several occasions disregarded travel warnings from the US State Department, as they tend to be overly cautious and paint with too broad a brush. But I do consult them for information, as well as Australia's, both of which lend credence to the assertion that Mindanao is a risky place to travel.

 

[Centrals]

I wonder what Chris(Tuna City Diver in Gen San), Dick(Carabao Diver in Davao) and Paul(South Point Diver in Gen San) and those expats who are living on the island would comment on the safety at Mindanao.

 

[The Wolf]

I wonder what Chris(Tuna City Diver in Gen San), Dick(Carabao Diver in Davao) and Paul(South Point Diver in Gen San) and those expats who are living on the island would comment on the safety at Mindanao.

They are free to comment. They are good people but I stand by my comments.

You do realize there is a war on outside of Zambonga right? Jolo included!

 

[Searcaigh]

But, out at sea on your own vessel, I think the risk potential would go up substantially. When I was there in April, a very beautiful ketch anchored off the Sipadan side of Mabul. That same night, a military ship came and anchored nearby. Given the high amount of boat traffic in the area (from fishing boats, to speed boats, to sea gypsies), I know that if I had been on that sailing vessel, the military presence would have helped me sleep more peacefully at night. The military ship left the next day but the ketch remained. So obviously, people are navigating the Sulu and Celebes Seas unmolested, but I wouldn't be comfortable doing it alone.

I doubt the OP is planning to sail solo around the Sulu Sea.

I am currently sitting in the Borneo Divers resort at Mabul having been here since last Sunday and having spent two days diving at Sipadan as well as around Mabul and Kapalai.

The worst thing that has happened has been the weather and an ear infection. The place is peaceful, the locals marvelous and a very prominent military presence, in fact the BD resort at Mabul is next door to the police post.

To the OP, enjoy your trip, BD are very professional and will look after you very well from the minute you arrive at Tawau airport.

Sipadan is as awesome as it was when I first dived there 19 years ago, although I agree there is a lot of trash floating around Mabul

Personally I would not have brought my 19 year old daughter out here diving if I had for one minute thought there would have been any risk

 

[vladimir]

Pertinent to the side-discussion of safety around Zamboanga City, from today's NY Times:

Armed Men Abduct 3 People in Southern Philippines

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine police say 14 armed men have abducted the 50-year-old Filipino wife of a German national, her son and her nephew from a southern island near a stronghold of al-Qaida-linked militants.
Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo says the men snatched Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann, her 14-year-old son and her 19-year-old nephew from a house in Zamboanga city's Tictabon island village before dawn Tuesday, fleeing on two motorized boats.
De Ocampo says the abductors have not contacted authorities or made any ransom demands.
The victims were visiting relatives. The woman's husband, who lives in the U.S. state of Virginia, is abroad.
Tictabon is near Basilan island, a stronghold of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants. Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels also have a presence in the area.

 

[Wk Sen]

it is very safe over here, I go to Sipandan 3-4 time a year...stay in Mabul or Kapalai resort...and I see a lot repeat customer form oversea came back to the same resort...with family as well...