Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon (File photo from Instagram)
MANILA – The police officer involved in the disappearance of beauty pageant candidate Catherine Camilon has been dismissed from the service, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) said Thursday.
In a statement, PRO 4A chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said Maj. Allan de Castro was dismissed from the service effective Jan. 16, following an investigation by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) 4A.
Lucas said the case against de Castro stemmed from allegations of conduct unbecoming of a police officer after a series of thorough investigation by the RIAS 4A uncovering evidence of an illicit and extramarital affair between the respondent and Camilon.
“We are committed to the conduct of fair and impartial investigations into any allegations of misconduct, regardless of our personnel’s rank or position. Hindi natin hahayaan na masangkot sa ano mang katulad na insidente ang ating mga personnel (We will not allow our personnel to be involved in similar incidents) that will taint the image of the PNP, especially here in the PRO Calabarzon,” he said.
Lucas added de Castro's dismissal shows the force's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and integrity within its ranks.
He, meanwhile, clarified that de Castro's dismissal is an independent administrative action which is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation related to the disappearance of Camilon.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Calabarzon filed a case of kidnapping against de Castro, Jeffrey Magpantay and two John Does before the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor's Office, which held three preliminary investigations in December.
Camilon, a teacher in Tuy town, was last seen alive in October at a mall in nearby Lemery.
Camilon last made contact with her family when she called up to say she was in Bauan and was going to a meeting in Batangas City. (PNA)
