Hair, blood in car match DNA profile from Camilon's parents, say police

The forensic evidence recovered from an abandoned vehicle tagged in the disappearance of missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon has matched the DNA profile of her parents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. 

The PNP said this confirms the bloodied victim that witnesses allegedly saw being transferred by three men to an SUV was Camilon, according to Marisol Abduhrahman’s “24 Oras” report. 

“Hair strands at blood na nakita dun sa sasakyan ay nag-match dun sa DNA profile na binigay ng magulang ni Ms. Catherine Camilon,” PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. said. 

(The hair strands and blood recovered from the SUV matched the DNA profile of Camilo’s parents.)

The findings are consistent with the witnesses’ statements, he added. 

“’Yung mga witness natin ay di nagsisinungaling. There is a corroborative evidence na talagang nakita nilang babae na binubuhat ng mga suspect natin ay certainly si Ms. Camilon,” said Caramat. 

(The witnesses did not lie. There's corroborative evidence that the woman they saw is Camilon.)

“Mas bumigat yung kaso na sinampa natin doon sa mga suspect dahil nag nagtutugma 'yung mga sinabi ng mga witness natin,” he added. 

(The witnesses’ statements strengthened the case that we filed against them.)

Authorities will continue to find forensic evidence that will pinpoint the suspects. 

“Our PNP forensic chemists are trying to examine para makapag-lift ng finger prints para i-match dun sa mga nasampahan natin mga suspects,” he said.

(Our PNP forensic chemists are trying to examine so we can lift finger prints that we can match to the suspects.)

The PNP filed kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints against Police Major Allan de Castro, his driver and bodyguard Jeffrey Magpantay, and two John Does over the beauty queen's disappearance.

De Castro, who admitted having an “illicit relationship” with Camilon, reportedly hurt the beauty queen before she disappeared as she told the cop’s wife about their relationship. 

The police officer also allegedly gave Camilon the vehicle she was seen in when she left her house.

According to authorities, a close friend of Camilon reached out to her sister, Chin-chin, and told her of the alleged relationship between Camilon and De Castro.

Camilon has been reported missing since October 12.

The reward for information on her 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.

De Castro has been temporarily relieved from his post pending results of the investigation. He was also placed under the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

Meanwhile, the former owner of Camilon’s vehicle, who allegedly used a fake address on the deed of sale of the car, is facing carnapping and estafa complaints.

According to the police, they suspect that the former owner is involved in a carnapping group.

On October 16, Chin-chin took to social media to ask netizens for help in locating her sister. Five days after her social media post, Catherine was declared a “missing person.”

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

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