Baguio city: Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed a comprehensive investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. This investigation is being led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized the importance of exploring all possible angles in the case, asserting that no factor should be ruled out until forensic investigators determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it. Cabral was declared dead after falling into a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet. Her involvement in controversial flood control projects is among the focal points of the ongoing investigation.
Despite the tragic incident, Nartatez reiterated the PNP's commitment to uncovering the truth behind anomalous flood control projects, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to hold all involved accountable. He appealed to the public to refrain from speculation and to await the official investigation results.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o announced that Cabral's driver is now a person of interest. The CIDG has been instructed to use its subpoena powers to obtain the deceased's cellphone and the driver's testimony.
Col. Lambert Suerte, Benguet Police Provincial Office Director, reported that authorities are conducting a thorough examination of the incident site at Camp 4, where Cabral's body was found. Investigators are reviewing whether the fall was accidental, intentional, involved foul play, or was a suicide.
The investigation is further complicated by the account of Cabral's 56-year-old driver, Ricardio Munos Hernandez. Hernandez claimed that Cabral requested to be left alone at Camp 4, after which she disappeared. He reported her missing later that evening, leading to a search and the subsequent discovery of her body.
Tuba Councilor Arnulfo Milo, a resident of Camp 4, provided additional insights from his interaction with Hernandez. Milo noted that Cabral's body had injuries consistent with a fall, and a medico-legal officer suggested she may have been dead for about seven hours before being found.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed ongoing autopsy and DNA testing to verify Cabral's identity and assured that the investigation into flood control irregularities would persist despite Cabral's death. Remulla emphasized the government's commitment to justice and accountability, warning others involved that death will not shield them from prosecution.
The Department of Justice has mandated an autopsy under Circular No. 013, which requires autopsies for victims of suspicious and violent deaths. Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon highlighted that Cabral's death nullifies her personal liability and any testimonies she may have provided, affecting the legal proceedings related to the case.
