Catherine Camilon friend backs out as witness over security concerns —PNP

A friend of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon has withdrawn as witness due to security concerns, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday. 

“We received information na medyo apprehensive na yung kaibigan ng nawawala na si Ms. Camilon because natakot siya para sa security and safety niya,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in an ambush interview. 

(We received information that the friend of the missing Ms. Camilon is a bit apprehensive and are afraid for their security and safety.) 

Fajardo said the PNP vows protection for Camilon’s friend.

“Huwag siya magdalawang-isip dahil ang intensyon naman natin ay bigyan ng hustisya itong pagkawala ng kanyang kaibigan kasi critical yung kanyang magiging participation sa kaso na ito,” Fajardo said. 

(We hope the friend will now change their mind because our intention is to bring justice to Camilon, and their participation in this case is critical.)

“Unang-una siya yung last person na nakausap ni Camilon at siya rin diumano ang nakakaalam sa diumano na special na relasyon ni Camilon dito sa na-dismiss na pulis na si (Police Major Allan de Castro),” she added. 

(First of all, Camilon’s friend was the last person she spoke to and allegedly knew about Camilon’s alleged special relationship with the dismissed Police Major Allan de Castro.)

De Castro and his driver Jeffrey Magpantay are facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges for their alleged involvement in Camilon's disappearance in 2023.

Charges against both suspects were initially dropped in May 2024 due to a lack of evidence, however both suspects now face the same charges with no recommended bail, filed by the Batangas Regional Trial Court.

De Castro was alleged to be in a relationship with the former beauty queen before her reported disappearance, while Magpantay served as his driver-bodyguard.

The ex-cop was reportedly supposed to meet Camilon on the day of her disappearance, which he denied.

Camilon's car was last seen going through some towns in Batangas via CCTV footage on October 12, 2023.

Witnesses later claimed that they saw a bloodied Camilon being transferred to a different vehicle on the same day, while Magpantay was in the area.

Testing of an abandoned vehicle located in the area by the police later revealed hair and blood that matched the DNA profile of Camilon's parents. — BM, GMA Integrated News