Is Mindanao in the Philippines that bad?

Even for most Filipinos, Mindanao is not a very safe place to visit (But that's just for some or should I say most places)

Davao is one of probably safest and most visited place in Mindanao.

Most people in Mindanao are muslims. That's the reason why in northern part of the Philippines, number of people view muslims as terrorists b'coz if the terrorism in Mindanao.

Mindanao is not that bad, only a small fraction of Mindanao which are Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. And the rest are absolutely fabulous to visit or have a tour in Mindanao. Because the three(3) mentioned here have a history of insurgent clashes with the military before particularly in the 70's. Basilan is where a General was killed when he negotiated the truce between the government and the MNLF faction. This is also the place where Usman Sali, a renegade Muslim separatist who stage a coup and burn a lot of houses and buildings and created havoc in the late 70's.

In January I spent 3 days in Davao, then took the Bachelor bus up north to Butuan and spent another 6 days there. I had no problem and never felt at risk even though I'm a tall, slim white foreigner. However, I'm not about to push my luck by traveling to Southwest Mindanao.

To be honest, Mindanao is not that bad at all. It's just caused by media and stereotyping. Only as small portion here is in havoc. Usually in the southern side. Davao is also a good place. It has a crime index of 13.27 and safety index of 86.73. I'm from Mindanao and I want to change this mind set. Also, not all groups that creates chaos are Muslims, there are Christians too. It's just that the media always have the word "Muslims" in their caption in news. When a Christian do it they don't put "Christian" in the captions. I want to change this stereotyping.

I live here and am a American. Some parts are unsafe in the south west mostly. In the North you are safe compaired to most places. Our crime rate were I live is lower than Japans. A very low crime rate. So depends on were and what you do. I would not come here and try to convert Muslims to Christianity or walk in a Muslim store drunk and pat there daughter on the bottom on the way out. But yes safe were I live. So the Northern part is safe. Down south lots of problems in the Atonomus area. So yes come here it is safe but stay north. Pick pockets are the big crime. Philippinoes think it is a National Sport not a crime. Any were here. Need to know were you are going to say for sure. West of Davao south of Valincia you could get in trouble.

Yes it is dangerous. There are many well documented cases of kidnapping.

I had a friend that lives in Surigao that was afraid of going anyplace alone - even to go to the grocery store! Merely because they tried to kidnap him once.

Yes a lot of foreigners has been kidnapped over there because of the terrorism but from what I know it mostly happen in sulu and zamboanga

If I had to chose between the advice from a well informed government department and an individual I know which I would choose.

you should listen to your government if they said so; it's not for depriving you but it's for your own security. though the problem is not visible which thats how they operate to prone people maybe you won't be victimize but how about if you do,

yes very bad especially for foreigners