PNP: Hair strands found in vehicle match DNA of missing beauty pageant candidate's parents

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 21) — The DNA from the hair strands that were collected from an abandoned red Honda CRV matched the DNA profile of the parents of missing Miss Grand Philippines 2023 candidate Catherine Camilon, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Tuesday.

PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said the positive DNA match could prove that Camilon has been inside the vehicle.

“Ito ay magko-corroborate na 'yung dalawang witness po natin, du'n sa statement ng witness, na may nakita silang duguan na babae na inililipat,” Fajardo said. “It gives us more credence na 'yung nakita nilang biktima ay 'yung nawawala nating biktima.”

[Translation: This would corroborate the statements of the two witnesses who said they saw a bloodied woman’s body being transferred to the vehicle. It gives us more credence that the body they saw was the body of the missing victim.]

Two witnesses said they saw three men transferring a bloodied woman's body from a Nissan Juke to a red Honda CRV.

Fajardo said the police has the car possibly linked to the disappearance.

PMaj Allan de Castro, one of the suspects who admitted his illicit relationship with Camilon, remains in police custody. 

De Castro and three other suspects are facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints before the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

The PNP assured that there will be no cover up in the investigation.

Camilon has been missing since Oct. 12. When she was last contacted that same night by her mother, she reportedly said she was at a gasoline station in Bauan town in Batangas.