Person of interest in Catherine Camilon's disappearance is a cop

The person of interest in the disappearance of Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Catherine Camilon is a police officer, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A said on Thursday evening.

Camilon was last seen at a mall in Lemery town in Batangas on October 12.

According to the police, a close friend of Camilon reached out to her sister, Chin-chin, and told her of the alleged relationship between the missing beauty queen and the cop.

The police officer was reportedly the person Camilon was supposed to meet on the day of her disappearance. He also allegedly gave her the vehicle she was seen in as she left her house.

The PRO4A said the police officer in question has been temporarily relieved from his post pending the investigation. He was also placed under the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while waiting for the approval of the Commission on Elections.

“The removal of the police officer from his position is essential to ensure that the investigation remains free from potential influence and guarantees a fair and thorough examination of the case,” PRO 4A Acting Regional Director Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4A will investigate Camilon’s case while the Regional Internal Affairs 4A will conduct its separate administrative investigation as recommended by the Regional Committee on Missing and Found Persons.

“We understand the concern of the family of Miss Camilon during this challenging time,” Lucas added.

“We request everyone to refrain from speculating or disseminating unverified information. We will keep the media and the public informed as the investigation unfolds, and we will do everything in our power to find answers regarding this incident,” he said.

On October 16, Camilon's sister, Chin-chin, took to social media to ask for help from netizens to locate her sister.

Five days after Chin-chin’s social media post, Catherine was declared a "missing person."

Catherine represented Tuy, Batangas in the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 pageant. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News