POLICE MAJOR CHARGED OVER BEAUTY QUEEN’S DISAPPEARANCE

A POLICE officer and three others were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention over the disappearance of Miss Grand Philippine 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon.

Philippine National Police – Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said charged were Police Maj. Allan Avena de Castro, Jeffrey Ariola Magpantay and two John Does.

She said the charges were filed before the Office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor.

The PNP spokesperson also said authorities found possible blood samples and hair strands from a sports utility vehicle that has been linked to the disappearance of the beauty queen.

The SUV is allegedly the vehicle where Camilon was transferred by three men.

According to CIDG 4A chief Col. Jacinto “Jac” Malinao Jr., witnesses saw the vehicle abandoned in Batangas City since Thursday.

Members of the Batangas Provincial Highway Patrol Team recovered the red Honda CR-V in a vacant lot at the corner of Dumuclay Road and Star Tollway in Bgy. Pallocan East, Batangas City.

The SUV was brought to the Batangas Provincial Police Office for forensic tests.

Camilon disappeared hours after she was spotted in a shopping mall in Lemery, Batangas around 7 p.m. on October 12.

The beauty queen told her mother that she was in Bauan, Batangas to meet someone.

Investigators are now looking at a love angle as a possible motive for the crime.

A P250,000 reward was offered for anyone who has credible information on the whereabouts of the beauty pageant bet who is also a teacher.