COP LINKED TO MISSING BATANGAS BEAUTY QUEEN DISMISSED FROM SERVICE

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna –  A police major accused of involvement in the disappearance of a beauty pageant candidate in Batangas in October last year was ordered dismissed from the police service.

In a press conference held in this camp, Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon) director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth T. Lucas  said Maj. Allan Avena de Castro was dismissed from the service effective January 16 following an investigation by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) 4A.

“I would like to announce the dismissal of Police Major Allan Avena de Castro from the PNP service effective January 16, 2024 signed by me, following an extensive investigation conducted by our Regional Internal Affairs Service 4-A,” said the Calabarzon police director amid the continuing search for Catherine Camilon.

According to Lucas, the case against de Castro stemmed from allegations of conduct unbecoming of a police officer from a series of thorough investigation by the RIAS 4-A uncovering evidence of an illicit and extramarital affair between the respondent and the missing Camilon.

“Police Major de Castro’s dismissal serves as a significant step in ensuring that individuals entrusted with the responsibilities of safeguarding our people are held accountable for their actions,” the official said.

Lucas assured Calabarzon residents they have a police force they can turn to each time they feel they are aggrieved.

“We are committed to the conduct of fair and impartial investigations into any allegations of misconduct, regardless of our personnel’s rank or position. Hindi natin hahayaan na masangkot sa anumang katulad na insidente ang ating mga personnel that will taint the image of the PNP, especially here in the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon,” the official said.

The PRO4-A director said de Casto’s dismissal from the service underscores the commitment of the command in maintaining the highest standard of conduct and integrity within their ranks.

“This reflects our dedication to transparency, accountability and upholding the principles of justice,” Lucas said.

“As your Regional Director, I assure the public that the dismissal of Police Major de Castro is an independent administrative action and is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation related  to the disappearance of Ms. Catherine Camilon. The legal process will continue to unfold, and updates  will be provided to the media and the public as necessary,” the Calabarzon top cop said.

The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last year filed a kidnapping case against four persons led by de Castro, a former police chief in Bauan, Batangas, in connection with the disappearance of Camilon.

De Castro’s co-accused were his driver Jeffrey Magpantay and two John Does.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4A headed by its regional chief Col. Jacinto “Jac” Malinao said the 33-year old Magpantay surrendered to the authorities at the Balayan Municipal Police Station in Batangas and expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the case.  

Magpantay was among the three men who allegedly transferred the body of Camilon from a Nissan Juke to a red Honda CRV on the night of October 12, 2023 or just hours before the beauty queen went missing.

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

Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 4A deputy chief Maj. Nilo Morallos said in the same press conference that though Camilon has yet to be located, it appears that she is already dead based on the accounts of the 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,” Morallos said.

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

Ching-Ching, Camilon’s sister, on October 16, took to social media asking for help in locating her sister. Five days later, Camilon was officially declared a “missing person.”

 A P250,000 reward has been offered for any information which will lead to the whereabouts of the missing beauty queen.