Makati cops in talks with village execs over robberies

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City police will hold a dialogue today with officials of the city’s exclusive subdivisions following a spate of robberies.

Acting city police chief Senior Superintendent Jaime Santos said a syndicate whose members rent houses in posh villages could be behind the break-in at the Forbes Park home of Iranian Ambassador Ali Ashgar Mohammadi last Saturday.

“We have received information that a syndicate is now renting houses inside posh subdivisions to use as their base of operation and to conduct surveillance on other houses inside the village,” Santos said.

He said security guards posted at the village and near the ambassador’s house are apparently lax. Santos said that as the Forbes Park is a private subdivision, police patrol teams are not allowed to enter.

“Security is supposed to be tight inside and outside the subdivision. There are even two private security men posted at the house of the ambassador. And yet the robbery happened,” he said.

Mohammadi lost a cell phone, branded wristwatches, eyeglasses and money.

Last Wednesday afternoon, robbers broke into the house of Briton John Anthony Edwards along Tamarind Road in Dasmariñas Village.

Makati police said Edwards was out of town when the robbery happened. The robbery was only discovered at around 1 p.m. by Edwards’ housekeeper, Mary Laysico. Police have yet to determine the amount of valuables taken by the robbers.