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MANILA (UPDATED) — A police major being linked to the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon has been removed from the service, the Philippine National Police-Calabarzon office said Thursday.

PNP 4A RD Police Brigadier Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas confirmed the dismissal of Police Major Allan Avena de Castro, one of the suspects in the missing beauty queen’s case.

• Cop tagged as 'person of interest' in case of missing beauty queen

In a press conference, Lucas said he had signed the recommendation of dismissal following an extensive investigation conducted by the Regional Internal Affairs Service.

“The case of Police Major Allan De Castro stemmed from allegations of conduct unbecoming of a police officer after a series of thorough investigation by the RIAS4A uncovering evidence of an illicit and extramarital affair between the respondent and the missing Catherine Camilon," Lucas said.

Camilon was reported missing by her family on October 17. She was last seen on October 12.

• Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate reported missing

De Castro has remained silent about the beauty queen’s disappearance. The PNP Internal Affairs Service earlier said De Castro would face charges of conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

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De Castro, his driver and 2 other persons are suspects in Camilon's disappearance.

'ENOUGH EVIDENCE'

The Calabarzon police said it was “committed to the conduct of fair and impartial investigations into any allegations of misconduct” regardless of its personnel’s rank or position.

It added that there was enough evidence to sack De Castro from the service.

“May mga photos, and of course palitan nila ng text messages, meron parts doon na kapag hindi nagkakaintindihan si Maj De Castro at itong si Catherine doon nagsusumbong itong si Miss Camilon doon sa kaibigan niya,” said Lucas.

The official noted that De Castro denied the allegations during the investigation.

“According doon sa affidavit niya, he denied his extramarital affairs with Miss Camilon, fortunately nagbigay ng affidavit naman yung kaibigan nitong si Miss Camilon, included dun yung mga photos, excerpts of the exchange of text messages from Miss Camilon and dito nga sa kaibigan niya,” Lucas said.

The Calabarzon police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will continue to collect evidence for the case. They also instructed the Tuy Municipal Police to coordinate and update Camilon’s family on the progress of the case.

With his dismissal, De Castro is no longer restricted inside Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna and his benefits will be forfeited.

Camilon's mother Rose said her family had expected De Castro’s dismissal.

She said the police had promised them security.

“Meron naman po daw kaming seguridad galing sa kanila dahil nakausap naman na po namin yung mga pulis dito sa Tuy. Hindi naman daw po nila kami pababayaan dahil talagang sinabi ko sa kanila na ganyan na siya (De Castro), malaya na dahil walang trabaho, nandodoon ang aming pangamba” she added.

APPEAL

De Castro’s lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Benitez said they would appeal the dismissal of his client.

“We’ll just go through the normal legal process, magpa-file kami ng motion for reconsideration on that… I think medyo hindi ako agree sa decision na i-dismiss siya kasi walang, I don’t think there is any piece of evidence that would support such a decision," Benitez said.

"For me, hindi siya enough kasi what were talking about is a relationship, it’s an illicit affair, and mere messages and photos, I don’t think that is proof. Actually nakalagay sa pleadings namin iyan eh. It takes more than that to prove an illicit affair," he added.

The CIDG-Calabarzon will monitor De Castro’s movement pending the issuance of an arrest warrant, said its Regional Field Unit Assistant Region Chief, PMaj. Nilo Morallos.

He added they have requested DNA samples from De Casto and his driver to crossmatch with samples found in an abandoned red SUV. Two witnesses earlier said they saw a bloodied woman, believed to be Camilon, being carried out an SUV.

“Definitely right po nila yun kung papayag po sila o hindi,” Morallos said.

The CIDG added that based on witnesses' account, investigators were expecting the worst.

“We are hoping for the best, pero we are expecting the worst... Di po namin masasabi na wala na talaga [si Camilon], pero base po dun sa account ng witness namin it appears na ganoon na po, patay na nga po base sa account ng witness namin,” Morallos said.

FAMILY'S HOPE

But Camilom's mother Rose is still holding on to hope that her daughter will come home.

“May nagsasabi din na baka ganito baka ganyan, ito na, ganyan na... Hangga’t di ko ho nakikita ang aking anak, hindi ho ako mawawalan ng pag-asa. Wala naman siguro ho na magulang na iisipin mo na ang anak mo eh wala na," she said.

She again appealed to De Castro to help her find her daughter.

“Kung maaari naman po talaga, sabihin nila nasaan ang aming anak, ano ang totoo, yun lang ho ang hinihintay namin na galing sa kanila," she said.

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— With a report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News