Philippine info please

[kster]

I'll be going to Western Luzon, about an hour north of Subic in May. If any one has info on the region, please share. Also, an info on transporting spear guns would be greatly appreciated. I've heard that it may be a problem with the P.I. customs.

[t-rocks69]

just left mindano and manila. all i can say about those places is watch your back the philipines is even more dangerous then when i was there in 97. it scared the hell out of me this time and am used to being in dangerous places. havent dove anywhere around the philipines so i cant help you there. you might try posting in scubaboard.com there is a large sectioon on diving in the phillipines there.

[Hank49]

I'll be going to Western Luzon, about an hour north of Subic in May. If any one has info on the region, please share. Also, an info on transporting spear guns would be greatly appreciated. I've heard that it may be a problem with the P.I. customs.

I've been in that area. Iba? Nice beaches and has some surf. Never dived there. I lived in the Visayas Region for 11 years and spear fished there with a friend. Last year I took some shafts down to him for a Riffe he has and it was no problem getting through customs.
As far as being dangerous....??? The US government issues warnings about traveling there but it's mostly political. There was a communist insurgency there years ago and then Cory Aquino's cabinet kicked the US bases out in 91 I believe. I think that's the reason.
I was there twice last year and plan to go back this October to dive Apo Reef. I've been to Gen Santos City and Davao also...the heart of the Abu Sayef....never had a problem.
I still go hunting there and we always get fish. I go to the fishing villages with my buddy and we ask were they catch. We go out with a depth finder to those spots and jump in. Give them some fish and all is well. they'll be stoked to have you come back. Pay them a tip for their knowledge.

[kster]

Thanks for the info guys. Hank, I am going to Iba. It's my wifes home town. We'll be staying on the beach there. Hopefully we beat the rainy season, and can get some great conditions. Maybe I'll even get to surf, but I really want to shoot fish.

[SpearMax]

I'll be going to Western Luzon, about an hour north of Subic in May. If any one has info on the region, please share. Also, an info on transporting spear guns would be greatly appreciated. I've heard that it may be a problem with the P.I. customs.

You might also send a PM to Platypus on this board. She and her husband Rick hunt all over the Pacific from their base in Hawaii and might know about that area. Good luck and be safe! Tony

[downdiver2]

US troops are still in the Phillipines (You wont notice them);).

ABU SAYYEF. There still around and in the jungle.

[t-rocks69]

met one of them recently going from zambonga to manila. navy seal guy who dove and spear fished. he said he had been in the country since sept. as a adviser to the philipine military. but he had yet been able to get a day off to go diving. he was there chasing the bad guys down with others in his group.

good luck on your trip and be safe

peace troy

[downdiver2]

Yeah, funny how we have military advisor's all over the world and most of them are Spec Ops.