Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

BATANGAS CITY — A friend of missing beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon backed out from testifying in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case against dismissed policeman Allan de Castro and his bodyguard, her mother said Monday. The witness, who was reportedly in communication with Camilon and was aware of events leading to her 2023 disappearance, failed to attend a recent court hearing. On Friday, she wrote to the Regional Trial Court in Batangas, citing security reasons and other concerns in her decision to withdraw from the case, said Camilon’s mother Rose. “Sabi po ng sulat, kailangan niya protektahan ‘yung kanyang pamilya, ‘yung sarili niya para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” said Rose. The retraction comes as a devastating blow to the Camilon family, who had pinned their hopes on the witness’ testimony to help uncover the truth behind the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate’s disappearance.“Nandoon ho lagi ‘yung pag-asa namin sa kanya… ang alaala namin, tuloy-tuloy na matutulungan. Sobrang sakit ang naramdaman [namin] dahil wala siyang ginawa para tulungan kami. Sobra, sobrang sakit,” Rosa said.She said that her family had approached the witness and asked her to attend the hearing. But she said the witness’ father supposedly said that certain people had been visiting their home — raising concerns of possible intimidation.Rose renewed her call for other potential witnesses to come forward and provide information that could shed light on what happened to her daughter.“Lagi kong hinihiling sa kanila… magkaroon ng kalinawan, makalutas ang kaso naming ito para malaman namin kung nasaan po ang aming anak, kung ano ho ba talaga ang nangyari sa kanya,” Rose said. “Nahihingi po ako ng tulong. Kanino man po — tulungan kami na magkaroon ng sagot sa lahat ng aming tanong,” she added. Camilon was reported missing by her family in October 2023.De Castro later confirmed his relationship with Camilon but remained silent about the beauty queen’s disappearance. He was later dismissed from service.The kidnapping case against De Castro was initially dismissed in April 2024, but Camilon&#x27;s family filed a motion for reconsideration that was granted in August the same year. ABS CBN News is trying to reach De Castro’s camp for comment.<div>— Report from Jeff Caparas, ABS-CBN News</div><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zzqe6fxTP-w" title="Philippines&#x27; Most Shocking Stories | EP 1: The Mystery of the Missing Beauty Queen" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

A friend of missing beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon backed out from testifying in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed against dismissed policeman Allan de Castro and his bodyguard, her mother said Monday.

A friend of missing beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon backed out from testifying in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed against dismissed policeman Allan de Castro and his bodyguard, her mother said Monday.

Catherine Camilon’s friend backs out as witness in case vs sacked cop: kin

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Catherine Camilon’s friend backs out as witness in case vs sacked cop: kin

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 04, 2025 09:29 AM PHT

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Updated August 04, 2025 11:46 AM PHT

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