Those tandem threats

The report yesterday about the ambush of an official of the National Bureau of Investigation was something that could send shivers down the spine of any Filipino. Not too many details were available up to last night, but it was confirmed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that Deputy Chief Reynaldo Esmeralda of the NBI was ambushed by – one guess – men riding in tandem on a motorcycle, and that has reinforced the fears of many about the deadliness of such pairings nowadays.

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How many reports do we get in a week about assassinations, murders, ambushes attributed to “men riding in tandem” on motorcycles? A few years ago, motorcycles were just the favorite vehicles of snatchers, because, on it, the culprits could easily maneuver their way in the tightest spots, and escape just as easily after the deed is done. Now such killers have become so daring, they have even tried their schemes on, of all people, an NBI man.

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Already there are speculations about the motive for the ambush of Esmeralda. One of them is that it is related to the case of the Japanese woman, named “Ohara” who was allegedly detained at the NBI office and made to cough up for her “board and lodging” there. The exposé on that case had led to the sacking of the NBI head who, until now, is believed to be smarting against his dismissal. Was Esmeralda the next in line to the position?

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So Grace Ibuna won that round – the London court has ordered that she gets custody of the remains of poor Iggy Arroyo, and the right to bring him home, probably this week. Somehow, I feel that that “Pieta” pose of Grace coddling the head of Iggy, who looked almost dead already and being repeatedly shown on TV here, must have convinced the judge there that this was a case of true and undying love, so the woman holding the patient so lovingly, should have the body.

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But Aleli, the estranged wife from the still unannulled marriage, is not giving up. That’s what the London court says, but when the body is in the Philippines, the courts here will decide. So Rep. Iggy Arroyo may not rest in peace for some time yet, unless the two women come to terms. Could there be truth to the insinuations of a Manila columnist that what they are fighting over is not really because of their overpowering love for him, but for the money he was keeping for his brother and sister-in-law who had their fortune placed in his name? And if it is true that Congressman Iggy had drawn a will during his weakest moments in London, that was in favor of Grace Ibuna, oh what graces will be falling into the woman’s lap when that will surfaces! And where will Mr. and Mrs. Mike Arroyo be?

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When people find themselves in a very embarrassing position they often say that they wish the ground would open and swallow them. If they have heard what is happening in Cebu, they would never say that again. After the recent earthquake that wrought so much damage in Negros Oriental and parts of Cebu, a big hole was found to have opened up in the ground in a farm in one of the barangays of Dumanhug town, Cebu, that has both puzzled and frightened residents. The “sinkhole” was reported to be about six meters deep and eight meters wide. And it is said to be growing bigger. Could it have swallowed up a shanty, if there had been one standing on the spot?

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Among the showbiz personalities who were in town and at the Jazz Concert at the L’Fisher Chalet Saturday, was the notorious boyfriend of famous cosmetics expert Dr. Vicki Belo, who had everybody speculating whether the widely reported “break” between them was real. And guess what, everyone asked replied that it was probably just a gimmick to promote the new TV show they are launching. Someone in their group who was asked about the chances, replied tongue-in-cheek: “90 percent end of relations, and 100 percent reconciliation.”

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I am not talking about the Jazz concert where people had every right to cheer and call out their appreciation. But there are some functions where the audience should show some respect and consideration to the requests of organizers. At the graduation rites of De La Salle-St. Benilde I witnessed at the PICC in Manila recently, the emcee expressly requested the audience to be silent and not applaud while the graduates were being called and do so only after the entire batch has received their diplomas. Surprisingly, there were still many who clapped, cheered, and hooted aloud when their candidates were going up the stage. I thought boors were not tolerated at the PICC.*

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