Witness withdraws from missing beauty queen case

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A friend of missing beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon has withdrawn as witness in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case against dismissed police major Allan de Castro and his bodyguard.

According to Camilon’s sister Ching-Ching, the witness sent a letter to the Regional Trial Court in Batangas during a hearing on Friday.

The witness cited security reasons, among other concerns, in her decision to withdraw.

“She mentioned that her life was in danger and she was receiving death threats. She also felt there were people tailing her wherever she goes,” Ching-Ching told The STAR over the phone.

The Camilon family felt sad over the decision, but remain confident in the Philippine National Police and the justice system, she added.

“We are hoping the case will continue. The court has rescheduled the hearing to Sept. 2,” Ching-Ching said, noting that De Castro and bodyguard Jeffry Magpantay were released on bail.

Catherine was reported missing on Oct. 17, 2023, five days after she was last seen in Batangas.

De Castro, who admitted to have had a romantic relationship with her, was tagged as primary suspect.