POLICE operatives arrested a dismissed police major and his driver in Balayan, Batangas last Saturday over the disappearance of beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon.
Former Maj. Allan De Castro, 40, was apprehended by Balayan policemen at 7:47 p.m. last Saturday in Barangay Caloocan, Balayan.
His driver, Jeffrey Magpantay, 34, was arrested by Balayan policemen at 8:39 p.m. also last Saturday in the same barangay.
Calabarzon police regional office spokesperson Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran said the two were arrested by virtue of arrest warrants for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
The warrant was issued by Batangas City judge Jacqueline Palmes last September 4.
Camilon, who remains missing, was supposed to meet with De Castro, his alleged boyfriend, October 12 last year before her disappearance.
Magpantay was later seen by witnesses transferring the injured Camilon from her car to a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was found in Batangas City on November 9.
Probers found hair strands and bloodstains inside the SUV. Forensic examination showed the hair strands and blood matched the DNA samples taken from Camilon’s parents.
De Castro and Magpantay surrendered to authorities in November last year after being charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The case was, however, dismissed last May, prompting their release.
The PNP later filed a motion for reconsideration that was approved by prosecutors, leading to the filing of the charges against the two and the issuance of arrest warrants.
Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas said the arrest of De Castro and Magpantay “brings us closer to a major breakthrough in the pursuit of truth, ultimately leading to the resolution of the Camilon case.”
The court set no bail for the two.
“Based on information from our operatives, they were cooperative (when they were arrested),” said Gaoiran, referring to De Castro and Magpantay.
Gaoiran said the two are currently detained at the Balayan police station.
Gaoiran said they still have no information as to the whereabouts of Camilon.
“We are still hoping to find Catherine alive but, of course, we are also expecting the worst,” said Gaoiran.
