Vee-TV

Backpackers

Philippines

To: VEE-TV

Subject: Surrender your weapons

A notice saying 'Please surrender your weapons' is in all the bars, restaurants, shops etc. And to make it worse everyone gets searched by a security guard whenever they enter a bar or shop!

Welcome to the Philippines!! You might be wondering why the hell we are sticking around in a place like this. Well, don't worry, we've been booked on the next available flight to a remote island! This Sunday we fly to Boracay, which has one of the world's best beaches! It looks like another clubbing beach (like Ibiza or Koh Samui). Unfortunately we have to stick around for another day here! One thing is that Julian and I get treated with a lot of respect by security compared to the locals, which is in some ways sad.

Today, visiting the Department of Tourism, we were told that all this gun business was nothing to be alarmed about and that it is not that bad (!?!). This did put us at some ease, but just a stroll down the road from the Department of Tourism I heard loud bangs. I thought it was heavy boxes being dropped, but eventually Julian pointed out that there was a mass protest going on right next to us, which I didn't notice because of the traffic between us. It turned out that the banging I heard was the police firing their guns to warn off the protesters, and they were just a stone’s throw away from us. What's worse is that we were in their sights!

This did leave us in a slight predicament! I didn't know what to do so I turned round and quickly ran the other way! We were well away from any harm, but I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier because it was in plain sight of us. I was away with the fairies!!!

Well, we are chilling in a shopping mall, because it is the only safe place we could find. There are policemen at all entrances and exits checking everyone through. Phew! It is not that bad, honestly – in fact the people are friendly and I don't understand why there are so many security staff around carrying guns.

But we are looking forward to going to our beach and relaxing there for over a week!

Well, look to hear how all of you are getting on.

Cheerio!

Rob

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