Sen. Raffy Tulfo offers a huge reward to anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of driver-bodyguard Jepoy Magpantay, in connection with the Camilon case.
STO. TOMAS City, Batangas -- Believing that the driver-bodyguard of the prime suspect holds the key to the case of the missing Batanguena beauty queen, hard-hitting journalist-turned-lawmaker Raffy Tulfo is offering a P500,000 cash reward to anyone who can provide information on the whereabouts of Jeffrey “Jepoy” Magpantay.
Jepoy Magpantay is believed to be the driver-bodyguard of former Bauan chief of police (COP) Major Allan Avena de Castro, who was accordingly seen by witnesses allegedly carrying with two others the body of the former beauty queen Catherine Camilon to another car on the night of October 12, 2023, when the latter went missing.
Tulfo’s initiative brings the cash reward total on the resolution of Catherine Camilon’s case to P750,000 as Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste and local businessmen also pooled in a total of P250,000 cash reward.
The family of Catherine Camilon lauded Sen. Tulfo’s generous support.
On Thursday (23 November 2023), Catherine’s sister Chin-chin Manguerra Camilon, gladly took to social media and announced on her Facebook account the lawmaker’s hearty support that would possibly lead to the resolution of her missing sister’s case.
“Kung sino po makakapagturo sa kinaroroonan ni Jeffrey "Jepoy"Magpantay ay makakatanggap ng 500,000 pesos reward mula kay Senator Raffy Tulfo.
At maraming salmat po sa reward na binigay ni Sir Raffy para mapadali ang paghahanap kay Catherine,” said Chin-chin on her post Thursday night.
Aside from Chin-chin’s announcement of Senator Tulfo’s generosity, she also posted photos of Jeffrey “Jepoy” Magpantay and that of the former Bauan COP on her FB account.
Meanwhile, the official Facebook page of Senator Raffy Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo in Action, gathered assorted comments from netizens.
A certain Roschel Romero Cabarle Ferrer offered:
“Mahirap na tlga humihingi ng tulong sa mga pulis hnd ko man nilalahat pero yong totoo nakakatakot at lagi pulis ang mga suspect”
But Irene Gocotano Binns blasted back: “Not all PNP. Be careful your mouth guys.”
One Amy Abellera posted a sarcastic advice addressed to the wife of the Bauan COP:
“Nku mrs. De castro pakulong mona c major masakit yn ginawa nia sa pamilya mo,. At Lalo hndi maganda ginawa nia ky catherine Kung totoo ang balita.”
A “Top fan” Leah Generalo quipped: “Nakaka Sira ka sa imahe ng kapulisan dapt sau habang buhay kang nakakulong” in subtle reference to the COP.
Authorities have pressed charges of kidnapping and illegal detention against four individuals connected to the mysterious disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon.
The suspects identified include COP Major Allan Avena de Castro; his personal driver, and bodyguard Jeffrey Magpantay, and two other unidentified individuals.
This information was disclosed by Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo who added that De Castro is presently in restrictive custody at the Police Regional Office 4A headquarters.
Fajardo explained that the case has already been assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's Regional Field Unit 4A and is now in the process of compiling additional documentation to bolster the filed charges.
The case, categorized as a kidnapping offense, originated from Camilon being reported missing since October 12, raising concerns about her current status.
Fajardo stressed that should more evidence surface in the coming days, there is the possibility of filing additional charges or upgrading the existing case.
The investigation into a potential motive is ongoing, with authorities exploring a possible romantic angle.
In testimony, a friend of Camilon revealed that Major Allan de Castro, allegedly in a relationship with the beauty queen, was in contact with her before her disappearance.
Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. suggested that a likely cause for the conflict was Camilon's intention to end her relationship with De Castro.
Witnesses have also stepped forward, claiming that Magpantay, one of the suspects, was seen transferring a bloodied woman between vehicles on the night preceding Camilon's disappearance.
The vehicle associated with the case has been recovered by the Batangas City Police Station and subsequent DNA tracing gathered from inside the car matched with that of Catherine’s and those taken from her immediate family.
Camilon, a public school teacher from Tuy, Batangas, was last seen in a Lemery shopping mall on October 12 at around 7 p.m.
She had supposedly planned to attend a meeting with Balisong Channel, an online media company, in Batangas City.
However, the media company stated that she did not visit their office on the reported date.
Camilon participated in Miss Grand Philippines in July, and her whereabouts have remained unknown since October 12.
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