Missing beauty pageant bet: Raps vs ex-cop junked

MANILA, Philippines — The charges filed against a former police major and a driver tagged in the disappearance of beauty pageant candidate Catherine Camilon have been dismissed.

In a resolution dated April 16, the Calabarzon regional prosecutor’s office junked the kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases filed against former police major Allan de Castro and Jeffrey Magpantay for lack of evidence.

“The instant complaint against both respondents is... ordered dismissed without prejudice,” the resolution read.

The regional prosecutor’s office said the complaints filed by Special Investigation Task Group Camilon were insufficient to support the filing of information in court.

It said there was no evidence to prove that De Castro and Magpantay were associates and that they conspired to commit the crimes filed against them.

The photos of De Castro and Camilon, which confirmed that they were in a relationship, do not prove the suspect was involved in kidnapping or serious illegal detention, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.

Philippine National Police public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said the task force would exhaust all legal remedies, including filing a motion for reconsideration of the resolution.

Fajardo said a petition for review may also be filed before the Department of Justice.

“The order is very clear on this matter. The dismissal is without prejudice that our investigating unit... is precluded from refiling the case,” she said.

Camilon’s mother Rose said they received the resolution only on Wednesday. She said they were ”hurt” by the dismissal of the complaints, but have not given up hope that De Castro and his cohorts would be brought to justice.

She maintained that De Castro was responsible for her daughter’s disappearance.

Rose said she remains hopeful that Catherine is still alive.

Camilon was supposed to meet De Castro on Oct. 12, 2023 when she was reported missing.