PNP to provide security to beauty queen case witness

MANILA, Philippines — Saying it is ready to offer security and protection, the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday urged a witness in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon in 2023 to reconsider her decision not to testify before the courts.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, gave the assurance yesterday in response to reports that Camilon’s friend, a vital prosecution witness, decided to no longer testify in the case, fearing for her life and safety.

The witness, in a letter to the Regional Trial Court in Batangas on Friday, claimed she had been receiving death threats and felt that people were following her.

“I want to assure (this witness) that the PNP can protect her. So there is really no need for her to hesitate to testify before the courts,” Fajardo told reporters in an interview.

Fajardo appealed to the witness to reconsider her decision, stressing her testimony is critical in the resolution of the case.

The witness was the last person Camilon talked with before she met with dismissed police major Allan de Castro, who was tagged as the primary suspect in her kidnapping and disappearance.