PNP to appeal dismissed cases vs. ex-cop, driver linked to Catherine Camilon's disappearance
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will appeal a Calabarzon court’s decision to dismiss the kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases against the ex-cop, his driver, and two John Does in relation to beauty queen Catherine Camilon’s disappearance.
In a press conference, PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said their Special Investigation Task Group will file a motion for reconsideration before the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office to prove that Allan de Castro, Jeffrey Magpantay, and the two John Does were involved in Camilon’s disappearance on Oct. 12, 2023.
“They will be exhausting all legal remedies available to us,” Fajardo said, adding that they may also file a petition for review to the Department of Justice.
The said charges were dropped earlier this week due to “lack of evidence.”
Magpantay was also released from detention "unless he is being held for some other lawful cause."
Evidence presented include photos that reportedly show de Castro and Camilon kissing.
Fajardo noted that these photos are enough to prove their relationship, which de Castro denied in his submitted counter-affidavit.
Fight for justice not over
Camilon’s mother Rose, meanwhile, told DZRH News that their fight for justice isn’t over.
“Kahapon dumating sa amin ang resolusyon (na nagsasabing hindi sapat ang ebidensya para iusad ang kaso),” Rose said. “Pero tuloy-tuloy naman po kami, hindi ibig sabihin na nagkaroon nito ay tapos na.”
Rose also urged the PNP to do more than filing a motion for reconsideration.
“Ang kailangan naman po namin talaga ay magkaroon ng linaw ang kaso. Kung ano pa ang mas higit nilang kayang gawin, iyon ang inaasahan namin sa kanila,” she said.
Rose believes that Camilon is still alive and well.
“Hangga't wala akong nakikita (na katawan), mananatili po ang aking paniniwala na nandiyan lamang siya (si Catherine), na makakabalik siya sa amin ng buhay at ligtas,” she said.
Missing for six months now
Camilon, who joined Miss Grand Philippines in July 2023, has been missing for six months now. She was last spotted in a shopping mall in Lemery hours before being reported missing on Oct. 12. She, however, last told her mother, Rosario, that she was at a gasoline station in Bauan.
The beauty queen said she’d go to Batangas City for a meeting with Balisong Channel, an online media company where she was a former talent. But Balisong Channel said she didn't visit its office and was last there on Dec. 13, 2021.
According to a testimony by Camilon's friend, de Castro was chatting with Camilon before she was reported missing. Two witnesses, who later came forward to help with the investigation, said Magpantay was one of the three men that they spotted transferring a bloodied woman from one vehicle to another the night before Camilon disappeared.
A love angle was being considered by authorities as a possible motive for the case. De Castro admitted to having an affair with Camilon in late 2023 but denied it in March this year and was cited in contempt by the Senate for allegedly lying during the hearing.
De Castro has been dismissed from service due to conduct unbecoming of a police officer, particularly his illicit relationship with Camilon since he has a wife and two kids.