Police officer linked to beauty queen’s disappearance axed

A police major allegedly behind the disappearance of 26-year-old beauty queen Catherine Camilon has been dismissed from the service.

The discharge of Maj. Allan de Castro took effect on Jan. 16 following an extensive investigation, Philippine National Police 4A regional police director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said in a press conference on Thursday. De Castro has been tagged as one of the suspects in the disappearance of Camilon, who has not been seen in public since October.

“The dismissal of [De Castro] is an independent administrative action and is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation related to the disappearance of [Camilon],” Lucas said.

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De Castro, a married man, earlier admitted to having an affair with Camilon but denied involvement in her disappearance.

“[His] dismissal serves as a significant step in ensuring that individuals entrusted with the responsibilities of safeguarding our people are held accountable for their actions,” Lucas said.

De Castro and three others, including his personal driver and bodyguard Jeffrey Magpantay and two John Does, were earlier charged with kidnapping and illegal detention in connection with Camilon’s case. Magpantay surrendered to authorities earlier this month. Camilon, who represented Tuy, Batangas, in the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 pageant in July, was first reported missing on Oct. 12. Witnesses claimed they saw an unconscious and bloodied Camilon being transferred from her vehicle to another car in Bauang, Batangas, on the same day.

The strands of hair and blood samples found in the vehicle, which was later recovered by the police, matched the DNA of her parents.