Cop linked to Catherine Camilon's disappearance sacked —police

Police Major Allan de Castro, the prime suspect in the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon, has been dismissed from service, the Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A) said Thursday.

PRO 4A chief Police Brigadier General Paul Kenneth Lucas said De Castro’s dismissal became effective on January 16.

“Today, I would like to announce the dismissal of Police Major Allan de Castro from the PNP service effective January 16, 2024, signed by me, following an extensive investigation conducted by our Regional Internal Affairs Service 4A,” Lucas said at a press briefing.

According to Lucas, De Castro's dismissal was due to conduct unbecoming of a police officer, noting De Castro's alleged illicit and extramarital affairs with Camilon.

Kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints have been filed against De Castro, his driver-bodyguard Jeffrey Magpantay, and two John Does in connection with Camilon's disappearance.

Catherine dead?

Though Camilon has yet to be located, investigators said it "appears" that she is already dead based on the accounts of witnesses.

"We are hoping for the best, pero we are expecting the worst. Sa flow po ng investigation namin hindi namin masasabi kung wala na talaga," Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 4A deputy chief Police Major Nilo Morallos said in the same press conference.

"Pero based po doon sa account ng witnesses namin, it appears na, iyon na nga po, patay na nga po," he added.

On October 16, Camilon’s sister Chin-chin took to social media to ask netizens for help in locating her sister. Five days later, Camilon was officially declared a "missing person."

Authorities said a close friend of Camilon reached out to Chin-Chin and told her of the alleged relationship between the beauty queen and De Castro.

De Castro was reportedly the person Camilon was supposed to meet on the day of her disappearance. De Castro has denied this.

Based on information reaching the police, it was De Castro who allegedly gave Camilon the vehicle she was seen in when she left her house.

Based on CCTV footage captured on October 12, Camilon’s car was seen passing some towns in Batangas. Police said she did not appear to be alone.

Witnesses came forward saying they saw Camilon bloodied while being transferred from her car to another vehicle on October 12. The witnesses also said they saw Magpantay in the area.

The hair and blood recovered from the vehicle, which was later located by the police, matched the DNA profile of Camilon's parents.

The reward for information on Camilon's location is currently at P250,000, with the funds coming from Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the business sector. —KBK, GMA Integrated News