Crime wave in Makati

Spybiz informants have reported about the spate of robberies in plush villages in Makati. The modus operandi involves cars with stickers – some of them probably fake – entering the villages unhampered. The robbers then go to the target residence and once they are in, declare a holdup. The criminals are armed with high-powered firearms and are considered very dangerous. One of the victims was an expat Indian family who have since left because of fear that they are not safe even in their own homes. In one village alone, as many as eight robberies were reported, obviously the work of the same gang because they had the same MO. The crime wave has instilled fear among residents of Makati’s high-end villages, but despite the alarming rise in the crime rate, none of the robbery-holdups have been solved so far.

Spybiz-miz: Taken to the cleaners

The Spy-Ring reported that this big time restaurateur known for having yachts and helicopters was taken to the cleaners by his estranged wife. According to the Spy-Ring, the restaurateur left his wife many years ago and lived with his new inamorata in a plush subdivision in Pasig. The couple even had their own kids and put up a seafood resto in a toney commercial area in QC, with their pictures pasted all over the walls. The wife took this all in silently, even leaving the country most probably to lick her wounds. Then she came back with a vengeance. She filed a case of concubinage against the errant hubby – and virtually wiped him out, taking all his properties abroad, his money in the bank and his other businesses. Now all he has left is the house in Pasig and the small seafood resto. Adding to Mr. Entrepreneur’s woes are his numerous loans because his other businesses have allegedly not been doing well so he resorted to heavy borrowing to keep them afloat. The wife was probably inspired by Ivana Trump whose advise to women left by husbands goes: "Don’t just get even, get everything!" Erring- husbands – beware: Your wife may just know a very good lawyer/laundryman who can literally clean you out.

Counter-terrorism intel – Part 2

In a previous issue (Jan. 24, 2006), Spybiz disclosed parts of an intel report made by mid level and retired officers of the Armed Forces assessing the government’s counter-terrorism efforts. The report cited the lack of competent and experienced people at the helm of counter-terrorism programs. Experts should be handling and managing such programs, not politicians, bureaucrats or even technocrats. A compelling need for funding was also underscored, along with a proposal to transfer intelligence funds from the Office of the President, the National Security Council and other civilian agencies to the AFP and PNP intelligence units. The men and women tasked with handling specific areas of responsibility in the provinces receive a pittance every month, often just enough to buy prepaid celfone credits. Current losses in the battlefield have been a result of poor intelligence caused by lack of competence and fund support. In terms of international cooperation, problems also revolve around resources and execution. The Armed Forces and the Police do not lack for knowledge and ideas but funding to push through such programs hamper the fight against terrorism. It has become embarrassing for these men to see the government always "asking" for help. As a last point, the report stressed the need to re-structure or if necessary, change current strategies and methods. In the case of the country’s National Internal Security Plan or NISP, Clear-Hold-Develop-and Consolidate will no longer work. The enemies of the state and the environment have changed, and at the same time, plans have been compromised, the report concluded.

Pinoy heart doc voted prexy of Asian group

Here’s some news that would certainly gladden the heart. Dr. Avenilo Aventura, pioneer in heart transplantation in Asia and the very first head of the Philippine Heart Center, was elected president of the Association of Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA) during its 17th Biennial Congress held recently at Makati Shangri-La. The four-day congress also featured lectures on thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and stem cell treatment of heart diseases by renowned doctors and surgeons from all over the world. Scientific papers on heart and lung transplantation, artificial heart, robotics in surgery as well as recent trends in heart, lungs and blood vessel surgery were also presented. Aventura, who was past president of the Philippine Heart Association and past chairman of the University of Sto. Tomas’ Department of Surgery, will serve for two years. He succeeded Dr. Naronk Rodwarma of Thailand.

Spy tidbiz: Boxing knocks out badminton

Manny Pacquiao’s sensational win over Erik Morales has triggered a renewed interest in the sport, with even badminton aficionados discarding their shuttlecocks to lace on a pair of boxing gloves. One new boxing fan is Margie Moran-Floirendo, whose svelte figure has become even slimmer because she lost a lot of weight sparring. Aside from burning calories and toning the muscles, boxing is also an excellent exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness. Just ask billionaire-doctor Rolando Hortaleza, another boxing devotee. Exercise is supposed to make a man neither too fat nor too thin. But in this case, Dr. Hortaleza might just become an example of a man who is very rich - and very thin.

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