One of 4 suspects in kidnapping of beauty queen surrenders
ONE of the four suspects in the kidnapping of beauty queen Catherine Camilon in Batangas last October surrendered to the police yesterday.
Jeffrey Magpantay surrendered to the Balayan municipal police station in Batangas at 11:59 a.m., the town’s police chief, Maj. Domingo Ballesteros Jr., said in a police report.
Ballesteros said Magpantay, 33, who was accompanied by live-in partner Strawberry Erilla, “submitted himself for preventive custody.”
Magpantay is the driver of police Maj. Maj. Allan De Castro, the prime suspect in the case. De Castro was placed under the custody of the PNP days after the disappearance of Camilon.
De Castro, Magpantay and two John Does are facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Batangas provincial prosecutor’s office.
Camilon, who remains missing, was supposed to meet with De Castro, her boyfriend, last October 12, before her disappearance.
Magpantay was seen by witnesses transferring the injured Camilon from her car to a sports utility vehicle that was later found in Batangas City on November 9.
Probers found inside the SUV several hair strands that were later found to be that of Camilon’s.
In an interview with reporters, Ballesteros admitted they had no ground to arrest Magpantay.
He noted the case is still under preliminary investigation at the provincial prosecutor’s office and no arrest warrants have been issued against the suspects.
“He submitted himself for investigation. He wants to be in the custody of the PNP for his safety,” Ballesteros said of Magpantay.
“We are not restricting or preventing him from leaving,” Ballesteros added.
Asked if Magpantay admitted his involvement in the disappearance of Camilon, Ballesteros said: “He didn’t not. He just decided to surrender because he feels safe if he is in our custody.
“He voluntarily submitted himself (for investigation). If there would (be an) investigation, he would be available. He is not hiding, he is willing (to answer the case),” said Ballesteros.
