Ex-driver says ex-National Printing Office chief wanted him killed

MANILA, Philippines -- A personal driver fired by former National Printing Office (NPO) director Enrique Agana said yesterday his ex-employer may have ordered his bodyguard to shoot him last Jan. 25.

Arnulfo Castura, 53, who was fired by Agana as his personal driver last Jan. 8, is currently recovering from two gunshot wounds in his right leg and left foot, after he was allegedly shot by Agana’s bodyguard, Mark Oliver “Obet” San Juan, with a .45 caliber pistol.

Other people were hurt in the attack, which happened at a betting station in Pasay City. Castura’s brother Jose, 61; Joel Caguntas, 34; Ernesto Rivera, 61; and Elias Dolorosa, 72, also sustained gunshot wounds.

Castura, in a phone interview with The STAR, said he believes a rape complaint filed against Agana had something to do with the attack.

“Parang ganun na nga. Kakampi daw kasi ako ni (It seems to be that way. I am perceived to be in the camp of) Caloy (Datu) and… Jun (Bunagan),” Castura said.

He said Agana fired him because they suspected him of being involved in the filing of a rape complaint by a 13-year-old girl, who was brought to the authorities by Datu and Bunagan. He admitted being close friends with the two men, who are officers of private printing firms.

“I had nothing to do with” bringing the girl to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Castura said, though he admitted he knew that Datu and Bunagan were going to the DSWD, which later filed charges against Agana.

The complaint allegedly led to Agana’s relief as NPO head weeks ago. Castura said there could be no other reason for San Juan’s attack.

The STAR tried but failed to contact Agana.

Castura said he is now hiding in a secret location somewhere in Cavite after getting medical treatment of his wounds.

“I’m now recovering here,” he said. “They cannot find me here.”

Castura expressed his dismay with the Pasay police over their failure to arrest San Juan, who happens to be his relative and neighbor in Pasay, after the shooting.

He said his neighbors told him that San Juan stayed in the area days after the shooting without policemen arresting him.

“I was told that he was even seen hanging around with some policemen,” Castura said.

Castura said San Juan’s arrest could shed light on his motive for shooting him the other Sunday.