PNP awaits DNA results from abandoned car in Catherine Camilon case

The Philippine National Police are awaiting the results of a DNA test to determine if the hair and blood samples found in an abandoned vehicle in Batangas City belong to missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon.

According to PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Jean Fajardo on Thursday, a match between the samples and Camilon’s family would strengthen the case against the current suspects.

“Kung ma-prove po ang hair stands at mga blood samples ay magma-match po sa DNA sa magulang at kaanak po ni Ms. Catherine, that would definitely give more credence to the theory na itong nakita po ng dalawang witness natin na isang babaeng duguan na nilipat mula sa Nissan Juke na possible identified po nila na same Nissan Juke na gamit po ng ating biktima at inilipat nga po sa red CRV, so it would be a good development po,” Fajardo said.

(If we can prove that the hair strands and blood samples match the DNA of Ms. Catherine’s parents and relatives, that would definitely give more credence to the theory that the bloodied woman our two witnesses saw being transferred from a Nissan Juke, which was possibly identified as the same Nissan Juke used by our victim, and transferred to a red CRV [is Camilon], so it would be a good development,)

Police Major Allan de Castro, a person of interest in the case who has admitted to having been in a relationship with the missing woman, has apologized for dragging the name of the PNP in his personal affairs but has chosen to stay quiet and face his charges, Fajardo added.

“Maliban doon sa implied admission that there is a special relationship [between de Castro and the victim], mas pinili niyang manahimik na lamang po at harapin yung kasong isinampa po sa kaniya,” Fajardo said.

(Aside from the implied admission that there is a special relationship [between de Castro and the victim], he chose to stay silent and face the charges against him,)

“Masyadong limitado yung binitawang salita ni Major de Castro at di naman natin siya pwedeng pwersahin at ang sinabi lang sa kanya ng ating Chief PNP ay harapin niya etong kasong isinampa sa kanya,” she added.

(The statements Major de Castro gave were too limited, but we can’t force him. Our Chief PNP only told him he should face the charges.)

While the police and Camilon's family are still holding out hope for the safety of the missing beauty queen, Fajardo said that the chances are getting slimmer for her survival.

“Reality check tayo, October 12 po nawala si Ms. Catherine. Habang tumatagal po yung kaniyang pagkawala, yung chance po [na buhay pa siya] ay numinipis po pero di po tayo nawawalan ng tiwala at hopefully po matagpuan pa natin si Ms. Catherine,” she said.

(Reality check: Ms. Catherine has been missing since October 12. The longer she goes missing, the slimmer the chance, but we won’t lose faith and hopefully, we will find Ms. Catherine,)

The results of the DNA test conducted by the PNP forensics team are anticipated to arrive this week, while the case has been transferred to the PNP Crime and Detection Group.

“Inassure po ng ating Chief PNP sa pamilya na regardless kung sino po yung tatamaan ng investigation na ito, regardless kung sino ang behind sa disappearance ng biktima, kahit pulis po 'yan, ay asahan niyo po yan na lahat po ng pwersa ng PNP… Lahat po ng possible na kaso na pwede nating isampa ay isasampa po natin,” she said.

(Our Chief PNP has assured the family that regardless of who the investigation implicates, regardless of who is behind the victim’s disappearance, even if it’s a police officer, be assured that all the forces of PNP... All possible cases that we can file, we will file) — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News