Jeffrey Magpantay, one of the primary suspects in the disappearance of Catherine Camilon, faced the personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or CIDG-Region 4A. According to an exclusive report from ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol last night, January 10, 2024, this was supposedly to confirm certain personal details about the suspect.

Magpantay served as the personal driver and bodyguard of Police Major Allan De Castro, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate and Grade 9 teacher Catherine Camilon. Magpantay was pointed out by two witnesses who claimed to have seen three men transfer a bloodied woman, suspected to be Catherine, to a red SUV at gunpoint.

The report further stated that Magpantay’s lawyer strictly advised him not to answer any questions related to the pending complaint. ABS-CBN News reporter Jeff Caparas attempted to get a statement from Magpantay regarding his decision to remain in the custody of the Balayan Municipal Police Station, but he did not respond.

According to Police Major Domingo Ballesteros, Chief of Police of Balayan, Batangas, Magpantay and his legal counsel visited to retrieve Magpantay’s personal records. However, there were still unclear details in the data they obtained, prompting their return for clarification.

Magpantay surrendered on Tuesday, January 9, coinciding with the second preliminary investigation of Catherine’s disappearance at the Batangas City Hall of Justice. Ballesteros clarified that, since there is no issued warrant of arrest yet, Magpantay cannot be treated as a criminal. Therefore, he cannot be held in the detention facilities of the Balayan Municipal Police Station. Instead, he stays in a designated room under police monitoring to ensure his safety.

Ballesteros mentioned that there were no reported threats to Magpantay’s life, and the decision to stay at the station was more of a personal preference, considering his family’s proximity. Magpantay remains silent on whether he is connected to the disappearance of the beauty queen.

As of January 12, 2024, it has been eight months since Catherine lost communication with her relatives.