Lawyer: Serendra tenant was in ‘wrong place at wrong time’

MANILA, Philippines—Angelito San Juan, the tenant of the unit in Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global City that was hit by a deadly explosion Friday evening was “just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” lawyer Raymund Fortun said Tuesday.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Fortun urged the public to refrain from calling San Juan a “person of interest” in the investigation of the case.

A section of Two Serendra condominium hit by an explosion in the upscale Bonifacio Global City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

San Juan was among those injured when an explosion occurred at unit 501B in Two Serendra, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

San Juan rented the unit from owner George Cayton, the former’s friend.

“Sila [Cayton family] ay pangkaraniwang tao lang naman…mga Pilipino sila pero nag-migrate sa US nung 2006 pa,” he said.

The Cayton family eventually bought the unit and offered it for renting. They also use the unit whenever they return to the Philippines for a vacation.

The unit was just among the family’s investments, Fortun said, who represents both the Cayton Family and San Juan.

Fortun said that San Juan is a 63-year-old senior data architect for a motor company in the United States who flew to the Philippines last Friday morning to attend a wedding.

Fortun said the Caytons and the Serendra management have agreed to let San Juan occupy the unit for nine days.

“Wala pang 24 hours na nandito sa Pilipinas nung nangyari ang pagsabog,” the lawyer said, noting that San Juan even complained to a relative of the Caytons about feeling suffocated. San Juan also complained that there was no electricity until 6 p.m. of the same day.

Fortun said San Juan was about to go out for dinner when the blast happened.

“Sana maalis na sa isipan ng mga tao na may kinalaman siya dito sa pagsabog,” Fortun said.

Fortun added that he has yet to talk to his client as San Juan remains inside the Intensive Care Unit of St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig City after sustaining burn injuries that affected about 85 percent of his body.

Three people were killed and five others, including San Juan, were injured in the blast.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.