Photos

En route from Palawan mainland to Apulit island by way of a dinghy through the mangrove flanked Tamisan river, this soldier provides security to the tourists going to Club Noah. This security detail was probably a response to the events at Sipadan in Malaysia and Dos Palmas in Puerto Princesa. Although the details gave us a sense of protection, it also felt a bit scary because I felt that the soldiers might be a magnet to ambush, probably from rebels.

The security at El Nido, also in Palawan was more discreet. They were in plainclothes and their rifles were in nylon rifle cases which they would tell the tourists who ask that they are just carrying some musical intrument.