The Senate on Tuesday subpoenaed P/Maj. Allan de Castro and his driver-bodyguard Jeffrey Magpantay in connection with the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon.
Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa, chairperson of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee rejected the alibi of de Castro for his failure to attend yesterday’s hearing.
In a letter sent to Dela Rosa’s committee and the Justice and Human Rights committee chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, de Castro said he could not attend the hearing because his pregnant wife has been suffering from pains.
“You should come here. Your wife being pregnant is not a reason,” stressed Dela Rosa as he recalled that de Castro was not around when his wife gave birth to their three children.
The Senate committees are looking into the case of Camilon who has remained missing since Oct. 12, 2023.
De Castro, who was dismissed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) from service, was tagged as a lover of Camilon.
Magpantay meanwhile said his lawyer wasn’t feeling well, but he promised to appear in the next hearing.
Dela Rosa warned de Castro and Magpantay to just wait for a subpoena, warning that if they fail to attend the next hearing, warrants of arrest will be issued.
Senator Raffy Tulfo said the dismissal of de Castro from the PNP has been affecting the investigation of his case.
Without the dismissal, he said the PNP can hold de Castro while the investigation is ongoing and evidence is being gathered.
But P/BGen. Paul Kenneth Lucas clarified that de Castro was not dismissed for the criminal case involving the missing beauty queen which he denied, but for his extramarital affairs.
He said investigators also had difficulty in getting samples from de Castro for DNA tests due to his refusal to cooperate.