security on Mabul & Sipadan Islands

[mybobo]

trust me guys, the kidnapping incident at Semporna previously are purely base only for money and not militant base.

And rest assured, they have police base in Mabul and Kapalai with armed policeman doing 24/7 round including if you're staying at the cheap homestays.

In Sipadan, they have the Marine Park officers and Military base.

Not to worry about anything, enjoy your dive with any resort you prefer including the homestays if you prefer clean but cheap trip packages.

bobo

 

[markietan]

yup.. recently been to kapalai and they have armed guards patrolling the resort so it should be quiet safe. they also have this emergency red button in each resort house which allows you to raise the alarm if anything happens.

very nice resort... nice view, food and service. will definitely go back again

 

[OnTheSpot]

And so another thread about security fears come to a close without incident. The only thing that happened was that lots of people continued to have a great time diving in the Sipadan Mabul area.

Some political end was served by this warning no doubt, but whatever it was it was not meant for the ears of mere pawns such as we.

So do you think the next time the US, and those nations with their jaws clamped firmly to the US teats (UK, Australia), issue another such warning people will react in a measured and sensible manner? Sadly no.

There will be another thread like this with some customers freaking out, some posters 'knowing more' than others, some cancellations and the usual merry-go-round.

Ho Hum.

 

[The Wolf]

The information came from private security intelligence sources, and was quite detailed. Please understand that the details of this information are confidential to clients of these sources, so I am unable to go into specifics. As the incident recently occurred and was relevant to the question, I thought it imperative to share.

Again, there is a possibility the operation may have been changed in response to the travel advisory, and resultant security changes. A "soft target".

If I were traveling there, I would be very careful about the "spin" put on the threat by those who have a lot of tourist money at stake.

This much is for sure, despite the increased security, and response or lack thereof from both involved governments, Militants based in the Philippines are still quite capable and willing to mount attacks in eastern Sabah.

I am going to assume you are either in the military since you keep referring to your "intelligence sources."

The travel warning comes about every year without fail, and has been coming out so since 2000. It comes out at least twice a year.

The incident in question was a issue of salaries not being paid on time and over time not being honored. I am led to believe the attitude of the owner and his supervisor of the seaweed farm didn't help and the locals simply got pissed off.

Though it is a clear cut kidnapping, this has nothing to do with the diving industry nor tourism in the area.

The area is secure, safe and the malaysian navy have the area surrounding mabul, sipadan and kapalai well and truly covered both day and night.

Oh, and I know so because I am with the US Navy and am not depending on "discreet sources."



I would however NOT recommend anyone who has US citizenship to ventue into South Philippines for obvious reasons. If the politicians don't get you, some pirate will...

 

[promocop]

Me? I wouldn't go. This is the same kind of 'spin' that SOME of these posters try to put on the dive travel to Mexico. i.e. it's the 'media' that is causing all of this mess..that there is really no danger...nonsense. It's real and I believe that it's only a matter of time until the toursists (us) abroad gets attached

 

[The Wolf]

Me? I wouldn't go. This is the same kind of 'spin' that SOME of these posters try to put on the dive travel to Mexico. i.e. it's the 'media' that is causing all of this mess..that there is really no danger...nonsense. It's real and I believe that it's only a matter of time until the toursists (us) abroad gets attached

Which shows how little you know or understand about Borneo in general.....

 

[danwig]

Yes.. you are right.. somewhere in the world and sometime in the future someone will be attacked... lets stay in our houses until everything is safe everywhere....

How much do you travel abroad... just curious..??

 

[Zippsy]

Do you really need a passport to leave Marina Del Rey, or is that just a rumor? Even to go to LA?

 

[rakay]

OK. We went on our trip to Sipadan Water Village. We travel through Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Semporna, traveled by boat to the resort. We dove for 9 days straight and got to go to Sipadan Island 4 days out of the 9. We had absolutely no problems while we were there. We did see planes and boats out from the military. We never felt threatened in any way. I was watching and staying alert. I will certainly go again.