Senate investigates disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon

Beauty queen Catherine Camilon, who has yet to be found, was reported missing on October 12, 2023. (Photo from her Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel started on Tuesday its investigation into the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon.

The investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs was prompted by proposed Senate Resolution Nos. 913 and 767, both filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo.

SRN 913 specifically directs the appropriate Senate panel to conduct a probe into the disappearance of Camilon. SRN 727 seeks an investigation into the alleged abuse, killings, and human rights violations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to failure to follow operational procedures.

“There is a need to review the screening process of police officers as well as the retention assessment of officers in active duty,” said Tulfo in his SRN 913.

Camilon, who has not been found to date, was reported missing on October 12, 2023. On the night she disappeared, Camilon reportedly left her home in Batangas and drove a gray Nissan Juke.

On November 7, witnesses recounted seeing the beauty queen “bloodied and unconscious” while three men were transferring her to a red Honda CR-V from her gray vehicle.

A day after this, the red Honda CR-V was found in a vacant lot where PNP Forensic Group found 17 hair strands, fingerprints, and 12 swabs of blood samples.

Meanwhile, the “primary suspect” in the case is Police Major Allan de Castro, who earlier admitted having a relationship with Camilon.

Police say De Castro invoked his right to remain silent about his involvement in the case.