For the last six and a half years, I've spent over half my time in Angeles City in the Philippines. I suppose it's high time I post a trip report, albeit just a brief summary of my 18 long trips there, and post some photos of pretty friends I've met there, like this one:

Photo: Friend 01

There's not much point in focusing on particular bars there, since they change so much from trip to trip. Some disappear or change names. The personalities of some change. And brand new ones appear almost weekly now.

However, several overall noteworthy trends have developed over my years there. First, barfines, or the new substitutes for barfines, have increased.

Second, the barfine system differs from bar to bar as the bar owners try to maneuver and adjust to keep from being charged with and imprisoned for "trafficking," even though real trafficking is virtually nonexistent in the bars.

Third, and this trend probably drives the first two, the frequency of unwarranted and oppressive raids on bars by various anti-trafficking squads has increased progressively. There seem to be at least one or two per week now.

A week ago, a buddy of mine sent me a recently published novel named Blind Date in Asia, written by Gin del Pilar. It describes the politics and economics behind the raids. While the book is fiction, its explanation and accounts of raids are true to life as I've observed it during my years in Angeles City. Even so, the book is a lot of fun, and it shows the good side of the city as well.

The book itself, Blind Date in Asia, says it's available on Amazon.com. The book came right up under the category of "books" on Amazon.com when I searched either "Blind Date in Asia" or "Gin del Pilar". I notice it's available in paperback and on Kindle.

Because of the raid problem, all of us who visit Angeles City face the increasing hazard of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Needless to say, we need to be alert to police decoys.

I keep returning because I keep meeting friends like these:

Photos: Friend 02 03 04 05 06

Thanks for the photos. Feel free to post more!

Because of the raid problem, all of us who visit Angeles City face the increasing hazard of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If taken to prison/jail... suggestions? what's their standard op procedure?

Ordinarily any customers present in a bar during a raid are ask to have a seat while they arrest all the girls, they are asked to pay their drink bill (so that when the police rob the bars till it will be full), show ID/possibly passport and walk away.

There have been a few incidents where customers were hauled down to the station for more through harassment, though in all but one or two of those cases it was either because they were, or were suspected of being, friends of someone specific they were looking for or the owner. Or else because someone mouthed off to the cops or something. Or else they were up to more than just having a few drinks and playing grab ass and got caught. In any case, if anyone is sitting in a bar as a customer and it gets raided, keep your cool, be patient and you will likely walk away unscathed.

Outside of the bars, with freelancers and such, random setups, shakedowns and extortion has been going on since as long as anyone can remember. Whether they are more prevalent now than ever before??? Who knows?? Probably most are settled by paying cash and never reported.

very nice pics.
ditto on the raid issue....any country or setting.
keep cool and quiet and it should never be an issue.
got caught in one at the now closed "beattle bar" in jaco...the number one thing is to just keep your mouth shut and dont talk in a local language even if you know it...play dumb tourist...listen to what everyone else is saying though

Certainly it's true: any country or setting. Many years ago I was in a bar in NYC where they had a drug raid. Totally legit bar but as with many in those days there was an in-house dealer. No problem as I was just drinking.

That said - it would be foolish to think that these things don't happen more in some countries/cities than others. And that's where a board like this can be invaluable.

If anyone is in a raid, please let the board know. If we do it right, you can gauge probabilities and make informed decisions as to what places to avoid.

For example, even though there have been drug raids (and closures) at FKKs, I bet not a single "guest" has ever been fucked with by the German police. The same cannot be said of TJ. Don't know how it is today, but back in the day there were guys who told horror stories about encounters with the local cops.

After two years I'm still figuring out things here in Kuala Lumpur. The cops don't usually fuck with foreigners, but they have been known to piss-test Muslims in a bar - but that's usually a personal vendetta. Then again, in a country where 1 gram of coke can get you the death penalty, I politely decline invitations to after-hours clubs where there's enough blow to put 100 people on death row.

Also, I'm getting to the age where I don't want exposure to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. So if Angeles City is getting worse, please let us know. That cheap Air Asia nonstop to Clark might not be as enticing if there's an increase in police hassle.

Wallstreet, I hear you, but think twice about paranoia?

98% of us follow the rules, don't piss people off and live long and prosper.

AC doughnut eaters are not actively looking to fuck with people if there's not some low-hanging fruit/reward in it for them.

duplicate

(Message edited by wallstreet on November 21, 2015)

Porker, I admire your faith in humanity.

http://www.mb.com.ph/uproar-over-naia-bullet-mess-widens/

WS, yeah that bullet thing is indeed scary -- hard to believe it's still happening with the public eye onto it and exposing it.