Kin of missing teacher decry release of suspects

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Relatives of missing teacher and Miss Beauty Queen candidate Catherine Camilon yesterday denounced the release of dismissed police major Allan de Castro and his aide-driver Jeffrey Magpantay from the Batangas provincial jail.

De Castro and Magpantay are the primary suspects in the disappearance of Camilon in October 2023.

They both face charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Batangas.

Ching-Ching Camilon, Catherine’s sister, said their family is “dismayed and disappointed” after learning that the suspects were released after posting bail of P300,000 each.

Camilon told The STAR over the phone that the case for kidnapping and serious illegal detention filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 4A “has not even moved.“

She added that the court granted the petition for bail after a prosecution witness failed to attend a hearing.

According to records provided to The STAR, the court ruled in January that none of the testimonies of witnesses prove the elements of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

“On the scale of materiality and relevancy, the court simply finds no clear and convincing evidence to support the prosecution’s claim that the evidence of guilt of the accused is strong,” reads a portion of the eight-page resolution signed by Judge Jacqueline Palmes on Jan. 10.

“The court holds that the summary of evidence against accused is not strong, hence they are entitled to bail. However, the court is not making any judgment as to the final outcome of the case,” the resolution stated.