Phillip Salvador’s ex-girlfiend survives ambush

MANILA, Philippines - A businesswoman and her son survived an ambush by two motorcycle-riding gunmen in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.

Christina Castillo, formerly Christina Decena and ex-girlfriend of actor Phillip Salvador, and her son Danilo were unscathed in the incident, which occurred at past 1 p.m., according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Their housemaid Helen Felesco, 46, was hurt after bullet fragments from the shattered passenger window of the Starex van they were riding hit her, police said.

Albano said the attack happened at the corner of Simon street and Banawe Avenue in Barangay Matalahib.

Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, commander of QCPD Station 1, said the suspects left their motorcycle along Maria Clara street and stole a taxi. But they failed to start its engine.

The suspects then commandeered a tricycle passing along Banawe Avenue before riding a passenger jeepney going to Manila.

De Guzman said the plate number HI 1206 attached to the abandoned motorcycle was registered to a Yamaha motorcycle owned by Joy Villanueva of Catarman, Samar.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said policemen recovered eight empty cartridges of a caliber .45 pistol and three empty shells of a caliber 9mm pistol from the crime scene.

Pagdilao said they were still determining the motive behind the attack.