How dangerous is Zambaonga for foreign men ??

First of all, I'm a Filipina. If you're planning to have a trip in Zamboanga, go ahead. Just don't go to the "hot zones". Just try to get friends with the people there to get informed and learn about the places you can visit and those you can't. Don't worry, Filipinos are friendly. ;-)

This is a very delicate question without a simple answer possible. Your details elaborated the problem already quite well.

Zamboanga is a place putting me into higher alert than Manila, Cebu or even Dipolog. I can walk around in Manila and my only concern is pickpocketers. Zamboanga is nearby Sulu, which I (personally) wouldn't dare to visit as a foreigner, but it isn't Sulu. I cannot visit Zamboanga (and I did so) without always watching out for anything unusual.

But to my knowledge, there are hardly more incidents than anywhere else. Many foreigners and (rich) Chinese live there. The Abu Sayyaf, which mainly cause the angst, is neither omnipotent nor omnipresent. They were raiding beach resorts in Palawan or Malaysia (only 2 times) or placing bombs anywhere.

There are also kidnapping gangs, causing maybe the real threat to the foreigners and rich locals.

I would advise you, to be still careful, give yourself a low profil, stay away from the beaches and don't get into any quarrel whatsoever.

But on the other hand, if it really happened and you will be kidnapped, than you have likely a really very hard time, and your life it at risk really. You could also become the victim of a bombing, which happen seldom, but it happen. Additionally, although it's your least problem, everybody will blame you for ignoring the official advices.

Be aware of that (read for example the story of the victim Gracia Burnham) and choose carefully. At the end only you can decide.

I personally dare to visit Zamboanga but would not like to live there permanently, because this would mean (my impression), you can become a target sooner or later.

PS: Many Christian Filipinos would never visit Muslim Mindanao anyhow (if they have to choose to visit MM or the moon, they would choose the moon :)), so they would always advise against it.

For the past months the Muslim rebels have been active again around Zamboanga City and Central Mindanao / ARMM (Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sharif Kabunsuan). This is due to the governments military drive in the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi islands (Sulu Archipelago) to flush out the Abu Sayaf in the western most part of the region. Just check the map so you won't get confused by the location. Remember Mindanao is as big as the Portugal or the US State of Indiana with outlaying islands.

Northern and Eastern portions of Mindanao are basically safe (including islands of Camiguin and Siargao). There are no active insurgency in these areas (Muslim or Communist).

If you need information about Cagayan de Oro check my website at http://www.cdoguide.com/

I would heed that warning and stay away from the southern tip of Mindano and the sulu archepelico. Genernal Santos City is risky as well but the threat level is not nearly as high as those other areas. Davao (city limits) and points north I wouldn't be concerned with.

I agree that most of the times our govt. overreacts on threat level warnings and is quick to put differant areas on the banned list. In this case their warnings are justified.

There is a whole battalion of American soldiers there ready to rescue Westerners and take action in case some mishap ensues. Nevertheless, Zamboanga can be enjoyed if you have the wits and the common sense to avoid being targeted by extremists. American expats say that Zamboanga is way more safe than in NYC.

if you go there, please bring your gun and ammo. you will need to be ready to defend yourself when abu comes for a kidnap victim