Prosecutors in San Pablo City, Laguna have dismissed the kidnapping and illegal detention complaint filed against Allan de Castro, the policeman linked to the disappearance of beauty pageant contestant and teacher, Catherine Camilon.

“Dismissed without prejudice,” the prosecutors said. 

It was Camilon’s family who filed the complaint against de Castro and his driver-bodyguard, Jeffrey Magpantay.

In a resolution on April 23, 2024, the prosecutors said the regional prosecutor said the evidence was insufficient to elevate a case against the respondents in court. 

On May 15, the Camilon family received a copy of the decision.

Castro is no longer in the Senate where he was cited in contempt in March 2024. Magpantay is no longer under the Balayan Police Station.

The Camilon family is dismayed by the prosecutors’ ruling and still hopes for clarity on her  disappearance.

“Mahirap… siyempre wala naman kaming ibang inaasahan kun’di ‘yung magkaroon ng magandang resulta ito, tapos ganito,” Rose Camilon, Catherine’s mother, said.

“Hangga’t hindi nagkakaroon ng resulta, ng sagot ay huwag naman kaming bibitawan. ‘Yun naman ang sabi nila sa amin. Maghihintay pa. Wala namang nangyayari! ‘Yun na-dismissed laang! Aba’y talagang kung hindi mo lagi paglalabanan, iiyak ka sa sakit na nararamdaman mo, pero kailangan mo uling labanan, kailangang mong harapin,” she added.

DISAPPEARANCE

Camilon had been missing for at least seven months since her disappearance on October 12, 2023.

On October 16, Camilon’s sister appealed on social media for help in finding her sister. On October 21, Camilon was officially declared missing.

According to authorities, a close friend informed Camilon’s sister about a possible relationship between Camilon and De Castro whom Camilon was supposed to meet on the day she disappeared. 

De Castro denied any involvement. 

Based on information given to the police, De Castro allegedly gave the vehicle Camilon was last seen in, as closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed her driving through Batangas on October 12. 

Witnesses reported seeing Camilon, bloodied, being transferred to another vehicle that day, with Magpantay nearby.