Phillip Salvador’s ex: Ambush business-related

MANILA, Philippines - Businesswoman Christina Castillo, former girlfriend of actor Phillip Salvador, said yesterday the attempt on her life could be related to her business.

Castillo, a real estate broker, said those who are behind the ambush could be among those she sued in court. “They are influential people,” she told The STAR.

She declined to name the suspects, saying the probe led by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should take its course.

Castillo had just gotten out of Mr. Poon’s restaurant in Banaue, Quezon City when two men riding a motorcycle shot at her black Starex van at around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Her son Dan, 22, who was driving the vehicle, said the gunmen repeatedly shot the middle of the vehicle. Castillo and her son were unhurt. Their maid, Helen Felesco, was hurt when fragments from the shattered passenger window hit her.

Castillo – who dropped the surname Decena after her marriage to Danny Decena was annulled – said she started receiving death threats six months ago, but did not take them seriously.

Castillo said she wants the NBI to handle the case – she encountered NBI agent Medrino Cruz when she got out of the car and went into a houseware store to get help. A witness described one of the gunmen as tall, fair-skinned and curly-haired.

Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said they have transferred the case, including the evidence recovered from the crime scene, to the NBI.