Mindanao is the second largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines.

It is considered as the food basket of the Philippines. Eight of the top 10 agri-commodities exported from the Philippines come from here. The island is mountainous, and is home to Mount Apo, known to be the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is surrounded by 4 seas: the Sulu Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south, and the Mindanao Sea to the north.

Northern Mindanao is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as Region X.

It comprises five provinces: Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental. Rainfall in Northern Mindanao is evenly distributed throughout the year. Its abundant vegetation, natural springs and high elevation contribute to the region’s cool, mild and invigorating climate.

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Philippines is a lovely place to visit with minimal risk of crime or danger.

However, There are locations within the country in which the risk of harm to foreigners is heightened and therefore should be avoided. Often I’ve been traveling in northern Mindanao. It occurred to me that there is only one main road that connects all adjacent cities of the North together.

In the North of Mindanao, you will be forced to avoid the numerous checkpoints. As most of them are unguarded, they seems to be an Mindanao philippines islandadditional barrier. If you come to staffed checkpoints, you will meet the Philippine Military, who makes trouble with concrete guns. I heard, that the Checkpoints will be used as a determent against the terror group “Abu Sayyaf”.

The risk of kidnaping is especially hazardous for tourists because the terror groups target foreigners for the high profile publicity – and the high ransom they can obtain from relatively wealthy families. Terrorism is perhaps the biggest threat for tourist safety in the Philippines.