The Philippines is generally safe for tourists and travelers. In many cases, traveling in the provinces is safer than it is in Manila. Theft is the major concern in major cities. Make every effort to keep your valuables safe. It is advisable to always lock the car and taxi doors once you're inside. Wear a money belt under clothing and use safety deposit boxes if there's any available.
There have been occurences of kidnapping in the Philippines, but note that these have been mostly limited to local, wealthy Filipino and Chinese business tycoons. Taxi drivers can pose as a scam artist, so beware. It is best to pretend to know the city better than you do and be wary of anyone who seems overly friendly; some of these people may catch you offguard and slip a sedative into your drink in order to rob you, a very common scam in Manila.
Travelers and tourists should be aware of sporadic problems with the communist groups New People's Army/NPA and Muslim separatists. The Philippine government has made some significant dialogues with both groups and the national security situation has somewhat improved in recent years. However, parts of Mindanao remain unfriendly for foreign travelers and tourists, including the remote islands of Sulu and Basilan provinces, where many foreigners have been subjected to abductions and extortions. Before traveling to the remote countryside, be sure to check the security situation in places you want to go at your local foreign embassy in Manila.