The two main suspects in the case of Catherine Camilon, the missing beauty queen from Batangas, could face an arrest warrants if they ignored the subpoena, according to Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.
The subpoena was issued after Police Major Alan De Castro and his alleged driver-bodyguard, Jeffrey Magpantay, did not attend the set hearing led by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday, February 27.
Interviewed during Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday, Dela Rosa said that the two suspects' reasoning was unacceptable as it was only an excuse to escape the investigation.
"Kaya tayo mag-isyu ng subpoena dahil hindi naman katanggap-tanggap ang rason nila. Si Major De Castro ay hindi naman buntis, ang asawa niya ang buntis para hindi makarating," the Senator said.
"Itong sa kanya, buntis pa lang ay hindi pa nanganganak. Senado lang din ang pupuntahan imbes na makapunta. 'Yong driver naman, kung wala siyang abogado, maraming abogado sa Senado," he furthered.
Since the invitation was snubbed, Dela Rosa said they issued a subpoena to suspects, and if the subpoena is still ignored, they will receive an arrest warrant.
"Ang una, invitation muna. 'Yong formal invitation lang. Since ini-snob niya ang invitation natin, subpoena na ang kasunod. Kapag ini-snob ang subpoena, warrant of arrest na," the Senator noted.
Dela Rosa confirmed that the suspects were not hiding, as they were still keeping in touch with the Senate.
"Sa ngayon, hindi naman nagtatago kasi sumasagot pa naman sa kominukasyon. May address naman ang abogado na nagpe-presenta sa kanila," said Dela Rosa.
De Castro and Magpantay are currently facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention concerning the disappearance of Camilon.
Dela Rosa said that the evidence obtained was strong against the suspects. However, charges of murder still couldn't be filed as the victim's body had not recovered yet.
"Para sa akin, very slim na ang chance na buhay pa. Bigyan pa rin ng benefit of the doubt, pero mga 99.5% ang aking paningin na wala na, pinatay na 'yon," Dela Rosa remarked.
"May nakakita na ikinarga siya sa sasakyan na duguan. Ang sasakyan na na-recover, may dugo na ng biktima. Kung may dugo, dapat na-ospital para mabuhay," he added.
