The trial of a man accused of stealing the identity, and then the property, of a Kaua'i resident who was shot to death last year in the Philippines began yesterday with the prosecution describing the case as one of "deception and betrayal" and the defense as one of "official arrogance" toward an innocent man.

On trial is Henry Calucag Jr., also known as Hank Jacinto, who is charged with multiple counts of identity theft, credit card fraud and fraudulent use of a computer.

Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter told a Circuit Court jury that Calucag fraudulently obtained ownership of a piece of property owned by John Elwin after Elwin disappeared during a trip to the Philippines last summer.

Authorities are still investigating possible homicide charges related to Elwin's death but that aspect of the case was not mentioned to the jury.

Also still under investigation are two other disappearances in the Philippines of men who had business dealings with Calucag.

Calucag's lawyer, Mark Kawata, told the jury that his client is a world-class polo player who met Elwin through the sport in the early 1990s and became involved in business ventures with him. He said Elwin transferred title to the Kaua'i piece of property to Calucag as partial compensation for debts Elwin owed.

Allegations that Calucag substituted the signature page from an earlier vehicle transfer to the later real estate deed are false and can't be proven by the state, Kawata said.

Elwin went to the Philippines to look at a $200,000 condo he was supposed to purchase through Calucag, family and friends said. Months after Elwin's family reported him missing in mid-May 2006, his body was discovered lying by the side of a road in a province several hours outside of Manila. He died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Reach Jim Dooley at jdooley@honoluluadvertiser.com.