PNP mulls appealing decision to junk raps in Camilon case
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to file a motion for reconsideration to reverse the decision of the Calabarzon Regional Prosecutors Office dismissing the kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints filed against former police officer Allan De Castro, the primary suspect in Catherine Camilon case.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Camilon is already studying the possibility of filing an appeal on the dismissal of cases against De Castro, Magpantay, and two other “John Does” due to “lack of evidence.”
READ: Photos showing Camilon, De Castro kissing lack evidence of a crime – PNP
“They are studying the possibility of filing a motion of reconsideration or petition to review before the Department of Justice because they believe that they presented the necessary evidence to prove the connection of De Castro and Magpantay with the continued disappearance of Ms. Camilon,” Fajardo disclosed in a press briefing.
Among the evidence the PNP official mentioned was the photos allegedly showing De Castro and Camilon kissing.
Citing the resolution, the photos and statements given by the missing beauty queen’s friends, among others, were found to be insufficient evidence.
Article continues after this advertisementBut Fajardo said this was enough to prove the relationship between the two, which De Castro denied in his submitted counter affidavit. She further revealed that De Castro’s contention contradicts the statements given by Camilon’s friends.
Article continues after this advertisementFor her part, the beauty queen’s mother, Rose, believes that her daughter had a relationship with the former police officer.
“Sa amin, bilang kami ang pamilya, kami nakaaalam kung ano ang meron sa kanila. Syempre kami, naniniwala na talagang siya ay karelasyon naman ng aming anak dahil hindi naman kami dadating sa punto na maghahanap kung wala kaming nawawalang kapamilya na wala naman talagang ibang tinuturo kung hindi itong si De Castro,” she told reporters in a phone patch interview.
(Our family, we know what is going on between them. Of course, we believe that he had a relationship with our daughter because we would not come to the point that we’d look for her and all evidence related to her disappearance leads to De Castro.)
Although Camilon remains missing, her mother expressed hope that she is still alive.
“Oo, bilang anak ko, hindi ko talaga isasapuso na ang aking anak ay wala na hangga’t hindi ko siya nakikita, hangga’t wala kami nalalaman kung ano ba talaga. Sa puso ko, hindi ko ilalagay na wala na siya. Hanggang ngayon ako ay patuloy na aasa, gaano man kahirap sa isip, sa puso. Araw-araw wala kaming alam, pero ako ay patuloy na naasa,” she added.
(I will never take it to heart that my child is gone until I see her, until we discover what happened to her. I will not take it to heart that she is gone because until now, I have continued to hope, no matter how hard it is mentally and in my heart. Every day we hope even when we don’t know anything.)
In November last year, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director, Major General Romeo Caramat, said De Castro admitted to having a relationship with Camilon.
But despite the officer’s revelation, Caramat said that De Castro remained silent when it came to matters related to the beauty queen’s disappearance.
Based on police reports, the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate was reported missing by her mother and sister days after she allegedly disappeared while traveling from Tuy to Batangas City on October 12, 2023.
