Southeast Asia • Updated July 2026

Country Risk Report

Philippines

Overall Risk Rating

Medium

Capital

Manila

Languages

Filipino and English (official); many regional languages

Currency

Philippine peso (PHP)

Executive Summary

The Philippines is classified as a MEDIUM risk destination, with risk concentrated in the south and heavy exposure to natural disasters, while the main tourist and business hubs function normally with precautions. Terrorism and insurgency risks centre on Mindanao, where Islamic State-linked remnants, a declining Abu Sayyaf, and factional clashes within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front persist in the Bangsamoro region. The Sulu Archipelago carries a serious kidnapping-for-ransom risk, with foreigners historically targeted on land and at sea. The communist New People's Army insurgency has weakened, and the government declared it ended in July 2025, but fatal clashes continue in parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, Samar and Mindanao, and two Americans were killed in an April 2026 clash. The Philippines is highly exposed to natural hazards, including typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, with a magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Mindanao in 2026 killing dozens, and faces tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Davao and Siargao function with precautions. Cover for the Philippines is available on a specialist basis, with the Sulu Archipelago and mainland Mindanao, except Davao, typically excluded.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Moderate	Insurgency and clan conflict in Mindanao; a weakened NPA with sporadic clashes.
Terrorism	Moderate	Islamic State-linked and Abu Sayyaf remnants in the south, plus a Manila threat.
Kidnapping	Moderate-High	A serious kidnapping-for-ransom risk in the south, and a nationwide indicator.
Crime	Moderate	Urban theft, scams and drink-spiking; some violent crime.
Civil Unrest	Moderate	Protests and election-period and political tension occur.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Good private care in Manila and cities; limited elsewhere.
Internal Travel	Moderate	Inter-island travel, disasters and southern conflict affect movement.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Online scams and fraud are prevalent.

Essential Precautions

1Avoid the Sulu Archipelago and mainland Mindanao, except Davao, given terrorism, kidnapping and clan violence.

2Treat kidnapping for ransom as a serious risk in the south, where foreigners have been targeted on land and at sea.

3Do not travel to Marawi given terrorism and ongoing clashes.

4Prepare for natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic activity.

5Guard against urban crime and scams, including theft and drink-spiking in Manila and tourist areas.

6Avoid areas of NPA activity, including parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros and Samar.

7Use vetted transport and inter-island carriers and check safety records and weather.

8Monitor political and maritime tensions around the Duterte cases and the West Philippine Sea.

Security Situation

Medium

The Philippines concentrates its serious security risks in the south, with terrorism, kidnapping and insurgency in Mindanao and Sulu, while the main hubs function with precautions and the country faces heavy natural-disaster exposure.

Manila and Luzon

Medium

Manila and Luzon function with precautions against urban crime, occasional unrest and disaster exposure.

The Visayas (Cebu, Boracay, tourist islands)

Low-Moderate

The Visayas are generally safe, with crime, disasters and localised NPA activity.

Mindanao (Davao, central Mindanao)

High

Mindanao faces insurgency, clan violence and terrorism outside the safer city of Davao.

The Sulu Archipelago and Western Mindanao

Extreme

The Sulu Archipelago and western Mindanao face serious terrorism and kidnapping risk and should be avoided.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Moderate

Armed conflict centres on Mindanao, with Islamic State-linked remnants, factional clashes within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and clan violence, alongside a weakened communist NPA insurgency that still produces sporadic fatal clashes elsewhere.

Terrorism

Moderate

Islamic State-linked groups and a declining Abu Sayyaf operate in Mindanao and Sulu, with past bombings and a designated threat, and Manila carries a medium terrorism assessment.

Kidnapping and Detention

Moderate-High

The Philippines carries a nationwide kidnapping indicator, and the Sulu Archipelago and western Mindanao pose a serious kidnapping-for-ransom risk, with foreigners historically targeted on land and at sea.

Crime and Lawlessness

Moderate

Urban theft, scams, drink-spiking and some violent crime affect Manila and tourist areas, and the drug-war legacy and gaming-linked crime persist.

Internal Travel

Moderate

Inter-island travel by ferry and air, natural-disaster disruption, and southern conflict affect movement, and ferry safety records vary.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Good private healthcare is available in Manila and major cities, but care is limited on smaller islands and in rural areas. Mosquito-borne illness and post-disaster health risks are present.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

Low

The Philippines is predominantly Catholic with a Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region in the south, and travellers are generally warmly received.

LGBT Travellers

Moderate

The Philippines is relatively tolerant socially, with visible LGBT communities in the cities, but limited legal protections and more conservative attitudes exist in religious and rural areas.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

Moderate

President Marcos Jr.'s government manages the Bangsamoro peace process, tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, and political drama around the Duterte ICC case and the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

Online scams and fraud are prevalent, including investment and romance scams, and travellers should practise good digital and financial hygiene.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for many travellers.
Japanese Encephalitis
Consider for rural or long stays.
Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.

Other Health Hazards

Natural disasters: Typhoons, earthquakes and volcanoes pose risks; know local guidance.
Mosquito-borne illness: Dengue is a major risk; take bite-avoidance measures.
Water safety: Practise food and water hygiene outside reputable venues.
Ferry safety: Inter-island ferry safety varies; use reputable operators.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for the Philippines is available on a specialist basis, with the Sulu Archipelago and mainland Mindanao, except Davao, typically excluded. The main tourist and business areas are manageable with precautions, while the south and disaster exposure require specialist advice, and cover should include medical, evacuation and, where relevant, kidnap-for-ransom provisions.

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Annex A — Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Security checkpoints are common in the south and during operations; cooperate calmly. Carry ID and a clear travel purpose. Avoid photographing military and security operations. Sulu and much of Mindanao carry high risk and travel restrictions.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

The Sulu Archipelago and western Mindanao pose a serious kidnapping-for-ransom risk. Foreigners have been abducted at sea in the far south. Criminal kidnapping occurs nationally, often linked to gaming operations. Risk is highest in the south and on isolated routes.

High-Risk Travellers

Sulu and Mindanao travellers face terrorism and kidnapping risk. Maritime travellers in the south face abduction risk. Disaster-period travellers face typhoon and earthquake risk. Nightlife visitors face crime and drink-spiking risk.

Annex B — Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Avoid the far south and favour Manila, the Visayas and Davao. Hold medical, evacuation and, where relevant, K&R cover. Prepare for typhoons, earthquakes and volcanoes. Ensure routine and mosquito-borne cover.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Be alert to online and investment scams. Guard financial information. Connectivity is good in main areas. Limit public location sharing.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid Sulu and mainland Mindanao except Davao. Use reputable carriers and check weather. Avoid areas of NPA activity. Follow guidance during storms and quakes.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Respect religious customs, especially in the Bangsamoro. Handle political topics with care. Avoid photographing security operations.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.