‘Cop beat missing beauty queen’

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A missing pageant candidate was allegedly beaten by a police major who is facing charges in connection with her disappearance.

Col. Jacinto Malinao, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Calabarzon police director, cited the screenshots of the exchange of messages between Maj. Allan de Castro and Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon that were presented by the relatives and friends of the victim.

Malinao also cited the statement of Camilon’s sister Chin-Chin that there were times she would come home with bruises allegedly inflicted by De Castro.

De Castro allegedly became enraged when Camilon told his wife that he was having an illicit affair.

Camilon was reportedly the girlfriend of De Castro and they were supposed to meet when she disappeared on Oct. 12.

Charges of kidnapping and illegal detention have been filed against De Castro, his personal driver Jeffrey Magpantay and two John Does before the Batangas provincial prosecutor’s office on Monday.

An administrative case against De Castro was referred to the police Internal Affairs Office.