CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Police Regional Office 4-A activated on Friday, October 20, a regional missing persons committee in connection with the disappearance of Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Manguerra Camilon in Batangas.
CATHERINE Camilon has been missing since October 12. A teacher, Camilon was last seen in a gasoline station in Bauan, Batangas. (FB)
PRO 4-A chief Police Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas created the panel under the revised guidelines on the recording, monitoring, and investigation of missing and found persons.
It is chaired by PRO 4-A Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Col. Roel Rodolfo and will focus on centralized coordination with other police units for resources, information, and strategies in tracing Camilon.
Continuous investigation has been conducted to support the Batangas Police Provincial Office, including the gathering of information, data analysis, and deployment of specialized resources.
“In our effort to uncover the facts behind the disappearance of Camilon, we will also engage our community to encourage public assistance and involvement in solving this case,” Lucas said.
The PRO 4-A acknowledged the importance of a coordinated effort when dealing with missing persons cases and the creation of this committee, it said, is a significant step in enhancing the response to such incidents.
The Provincial Committee on Missing and Found Persons was earlier activated to assess the situation.
However, upon evaluation, Camilon was considered as a priority missing person, and was elevated to the Regional Committee on Missing and Found Persons, composed of the Highway Patrol Group 4-A, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 4-A, Anti-Kidnapping Group, Regional Intelligence Unit 4-A, Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Operations Division, Regional Community Affairs and Development Division, Regional Legal Office, Regional Forensic Unit 4-A, Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit 4-A, the Women and Children Protection Center, and the investigating and support units of the Batangas Police Provincial Office.
“All member units of the regional committee are ready to support and cooperate in its objective to ensure the safe return of Camilon,” Lucas added.
Updates on the activities and progress of the committee will be provided to the public and the media to maintain transparency and encourage continued community involvement to solve the case, Lucas said.
The disappearance of Camilon, 26, and a teacher, has sparked widespread concern within the community and highlighted the need for an organized and dedicated effort to address such cases promptly and effectively. She was last seen in a gasoline station in Bauan, Batangas on October 12 with her car.