MANILA — The Batangas Provincial Prosecutor Office has proposed relocating the preliminary investigation regarding the disappearance of beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon to the Regional State Prosecutor in Calabarzon, as announced by the police on Friday (02 Feb 2024).

According to Police Colonel Jacinto Malinao Jr., head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for Calabarzon, the Batangas prosecutor has advocated for the approval of the motion to inhibit filed by his unit and Camilon’s camp. In a text message, Malinao conveyed, “The preliminary investigation was transferred to the Department of Justice Regional State Prosecutor 4A.”

In January, both the police and Camilon’s camp filed a motion to inhibit, citing concerns about the potential influence of Jeff Magpantay’s legal counsel. Magpantay is one of the suspects implicated in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints. It was noted that Magpantay’s counsel had previously served as an assistant provincial prosecutor in Batangas and presided over Regional Trial Court-Branch 86 in Taal town.

The complaints, lodged against now-dismissed cop Allan de Castro, his driver-bodyguard Magpantay, and two John Does, pertain to Camilon’s disappearance. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently announced De Castro’s release from police custody after his dismissal from service.

On October 16, Camilon’s sister Chin-chin sought assistance on social media to locate her missing sister, who was officially declared missing five days later. Allegations of a relationship between the beauty pageant contestant and De Castro surfaced when a close friend of Camilon informed her sister of the connection.

Despite De Castro’s denial, reports suggest that he was the person Camilon was supposed to meet on the day she disappeared, and he allegedly provided her with the vehicle seen in CCTV footage passing through various towns in Batangas on October 12, 2023. Witnesses claimed to have seen Camilon, appearing injured, being transferred from her car to another vehicle on that day, with Magpantay present in the vicinity.

Subsequent police investigation located the vehicle, and analysis of hair and blood samples recovered from it matched the DNA profile of Camilon’s parents. The reward for information on Camilon’s whereabouts currently stands at P250,000, contributed by Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the business sector.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) stated on Tuesday (23 Jan 2024) that PMaj. Allan De Castro, the primary suspect in the disappearance of beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon, is prohibited from leaving the country.

De Castro, who was relieved from police service, was released from restrictive custody at Camp Vicente Lim on January 16, 2024.

“We have already coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration in anticipation of his possible attempt to leave the country. We have initiated coordination for a hold departure order to prevent the main suspect from fleeing the country,” CIDG Director PMaj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. disclosed.

Caramat added, “I believe that once he leaves the country or attempts to escape, that’s already an admission of guilt on his part. I don’t think he will do that, but who knows.”

The CIDG is diligently working towards securing a conviction in the criminal case filed against De Castro, his driver Jeffrey Magpantay, and two unidentified individuals. Caramat expressed hope that Magpantay would eventually admit his involvement in the disappearance of Miss Camilon.

“We are still optimistic about winning the case and securing a conviction against the suspects. In the administrative case against our suspect, we already have substantial evidence of his participation, and it will depend on the court’s appreciation of the case,” Caramat stated.

He continued, “As I mentioned, if we can convince other witnesses to come forward or if Magpantay becomes a state witness, it will strengthen our case.”

The situation has become “torturous” for Camilon’s family, according to the police official.

“We all have a conscience. Hopefully, Magpantay will become a state witness since he has already waived and signed a waiver for his detention. I believe that he will soon reveal their participation and the truth,” he said.

Catherine Camilon, missing since October 12, 2023, has left the CIDG cautious in concluding without locating the victim’s body.

“On the part of the CIDG, until we see the victim’s body, we cannot conclude. We base our investigation not on presumptions,” Caramat clarified.

He appealed to the two other suspects to surrender and cooperate with the investigation.

“To the two (2) accomplices, before it’s too late, I am appealing to you. You could become state witnesses to lighten your offenses. I advise you to go to the CIDG office and collaborate with the ongoing investigation regarding the Camilon case,” he urged.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) announced on Thursday (18 Jan 2024) the dismissal of Major Allan de Castro, the police officer implicated in the disappearance of beauty pageant candidate Catherine Camilon.

PRO 4A Chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas revealed in a statement that the dismissal, effective January 16, followed an investigation conducted by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) 4A.

The case against de Castro revolves around allegations of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, stemming from a comprehensive investigation by RIAS 4A that uncovered evidence of an illicit and extramarital affair between de Castro and Camilon.

Lucas emphasized the commitment of the PRO Calabarzon to conducting fair and impartial investigations into misconduct allegations, regardless of personnel rank or position.

“We will not allow our personnel to be involved in similar incidents that will tarnish the image of the PNP, especially here in PRO Calabarzon,” Lucas said.

Highlighting de Castro’s dismissal as an independent administrative action, Lucas underlined its separation from the ongoing criminal investigation related to Camilon’s disappearance.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Calabarzon has filed a kidnapping case against de Castro, Jeffrey Magpantay, the alleged driver of de Castro, and two John Does before the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The office held three preliminary investigations in December.

Catherine Camilon, a teacher in Tuy town, was last seen alive on October 12, 2023, at a mall in nearby Lemery.

Her last contact with family occurred when she called to inform them she was in Bauan and heading to a meeting in Batangas City.

She remains missing to this day.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — A significant development unfolded in the case of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon as Jeffrey Ariola Magpantay, believed to be the driver of Police Major Allan de Castro, voluntarily surrendered to the Balayan Municipal Police Station in Batangas on Tuesday, January 9.

Magpantay, a 33-year-old resident of Barangay San Roque, Rosario, Batangas, accompanied by his live-in partner, personally appeared at the station.

De Castro, the main suspect in Camilon’s case, had previously acknowledged his relationship with the beauty queen.

The former beauty queen who is also a public high school teacher, went missing last October 12, 2023.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) test results for the Catherine Camilon case are expected to be released next week, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The tests, conducted on hair and blood samples found in an abandoned vehicle linked to the missing beauty queen, as well as samples from her family, will provide crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.

Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, stated that the Forensic Group anticipates releasing the results next week.

Police Major Rodrigo Sotero Jr., the PNP Forensic Group public information officer, mentioned that the examination is still in progress, and although a definite date is yet to be confirmed, it may be available next week.

The potential match between the samples from the abandoned vehicle and Camilon’s family is seen as pivotal in strengthening the case against the current suspects.

The vehicle, found in Barangay Dumuclay, Batangas City, was subjected to forensic tests at the Batangas Provincial Police Office.

Witnesses have come forward claiming to have seen Camilon, with one stating she was bloodied, being transferred from her car to another vehicle on October 12.

This information has led to the filing of kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints against four suspects, including Police Major Allan de Castro, chief of police of Bauan, Batangas,  and Jeffrey Magpantay.

De Castro, who was reportedly the person Camilon was supposed to meet on the day of her disappearance, denies the allegation.

He has been temporarily relieved from his post pending the investigation results.

Two John Does are also among the identified suspects.

The reward for information on Camilon’s whereabouts currently stands at P250,000, contributed by Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the business sector.

The investigation has revealed an alleged relationship between Camilon and a policeman, prompting the filing of complaints against the former owner of Camilon’s vehicle for carnapping and estafa.

The former owner is suspected to be part of a carnapping group.

Camilon’s sister, Chin-chin, sought help on social media in locating her, leading to her declaration as a missing person five days later. CCTV footage on October 12 shows Camilon’s vehicle passing through towns in Batangas, with indications that she was not alone.

Camilon represented Tuy, Batangas, in the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 pageant.

(JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)

A reward of P250,000 is now being offered for information regarding the whereabouts of Catherine Camilon, a Miss Grand Philippines contestant who was reported missing on October 12.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has contributed an additional P50,000 to this reward, while Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste previously offered P100,000. Various other groups have also chipped in with P100,000.

Gilbert Cruz, the executive director of the PAOCC, stated that the organization has engaged with Camilon’s family but did not disclose specific details.

In response to her disappearance, the Calabarzon police have activated a committee on missing persons to conduct an investigation.

Person of interest

Furthermore, provincial law enforcement has accordingly identified a person of interest in connection with Catherine Camilon’s disappearance.

This development emerged more than a week after Catherine’s sister reached out on Facebook, seeking information from her colleagues and friends about her sister’s whereabouts.

Police Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas, the regional director of the Philippine National Police-Calabarzon, provided an update on the case during an interview with DZBB Super Radyo on October 22.

He mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, and it’s too early to draw conclusions about what happened to Catherine.

However, they have identified a person of interest he said but due to the sensitivity of the investigation, Lucas did not disclose further details about the case, such as where she was last seen or the last location of her phone.

(JR AMIGO/ai/mnm)

According to authorities, Miss Grand Philippines 2023 contestant, Catherine Camilon, was last seen at a shopping mall in Lemery, Batangas hours before she was reported as missing.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog reported that the Tuy Police Station obtained closed-circuit television footage from the mall, which showed Camilon walking alone on the evening of October 12 at 7 p.m. This footage was recorded before her last message to her mother, where she stated that she was at a gas station in Bauan.

Pauline Fernando, the public information office chief of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, mentioned that there were no CCTV recordings available from Bauan.

Catherine’s mother, Rosario, had been in contact with her daughter until around 3:30 a.m. on October 13, after which all communication was lost. Catherine had informed her mother that she was heading to Batangas City for a meeting with Balisong Channel, an online media company she had worked with in the past.

However, Balisong Channel, in an October 18 statement, stated that Catherine did not visit their office and had not been in contact since December 13, 2021. The company emphasized that there were no ongoing collaborations, communications, or contractual agreements with her.

They encouraged the public to reach out to the authorities regarding Catherine’s whereabouts and expressed their hope for her safe return.

Catherine’s sister, Chin-Chin, took to Facebook on October 13, appealing to Catherine’s colleague who had been with her the night before she disappeared. Chin-Chin mentioned that Catherine called her at 8 p.m. on October 12, but her phone went dead the following morning. She also shared details about Catherine’s car, including its model and plate number, along with a poster containing Catherine’s age, height, and their mother’s mobile number.

Catherine, who participated in Miss Grand Philippines in July, is not only a beauty queen but also a public school teacher in Tuy.

(Amado Inigo/mnm)

Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon Photo from facebook.com/cthrncmln

MANILA — The disappearance of Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon has raised significant concerns among her family and friends.

Camilon, who represented Tuy, Batangas in the national pageant held in July, has been uncontactable since October 12.

There is a plea from Camilon’s sister, Chin-chin, on Facebook, directed at anyone who may have been with her sister the previous night: “Maybe the person who was with Catherine Camilon last night will read this. We just don’t know who, and we can’t remember the name. Please let us know where she is. She called last night at 8 pm, and her phone has been off since this morning. She’s not online either. She’s always updating us, but this is the first time she hasn’t.”

Chin-chin’s social media posts are filled with inquiries about her sister’s whereabouts and expressions of deep concern.

“Hopefully, you can come back to us. Many are worried about you. It’s been almost two days without any updates from you. You haven’t gone anywhere without updating us before. We hope you’re okay wherever you are. We love you very much.”

On October 14, Camilon’s mother, Rose, also made a heartfelt plea on Facebook, praying for the safe return of her daughter.

Additionally, a plea for information has been shared on the local online news site, Balisong Channel, which is based in Batangas.

Catherine Camilon is not only a candidate for Miss Grand Philippines 2023 but also a model and a public school teacher in Batangas.

(ai/mnm)