The death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral in Tuba, Benguet is now under investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Police Regional Office in Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-COR) will lead the investigation to uncover all the details of Cabral’s death, especially as she is considered by the government as one of the suspected primary architects of the massive flood control anomalies in the DPWH.

“We want to find out the truth. This is for the good of everyone, not for the police, not for the media. This is for the sake of justice. We would like to find out the truth,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, Dec. 19.

Cabral was reported to have fallen from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Initial investigation revealed that Cabral was dropped off by her driver, Ricardo Hernandez, along Camp 5 in Kennon Road at around 3 p.m. on December 18 upon her request.

Two hours later, the driver went back to the hotel where Cabral was staying to check if she had come back, only to find out she was still not there. This prompted the driver to report her disappearance to the police.

Her body was later discovered at the bottom of a ravine approximately 20 to 23 meters deep around 8 p.m. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities were directed to conduct an autopsy and DNA testing on the retrieved body to confirm her identity amid concerns of possible foul play.

Remulla emphasized that while initial reports suggest no foul play, investigators are carefully following proper procedures.

But in a related development, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño disclosed that Cabral’s family had issued a waiver for an autopsy.

The driver has also now been considered a person of interest (POI) in the case.

“It goes against human nature to leave your principal or VIP in a remote place. You know that her bag and cellphone were inside the vehicle, so why would you only go back for her one or two hours later? How would you even contact her?” Tuaño explained, although he noted that being a POI does not automatically qualify an individual as a suspect.

Tuaño said that the PRO-COR was ordered by Nartatez to conduct an investigation within the next 36 hours to gather information on the driver before he is cleared as a POI.

Cabral was among those tagged in the ongoing investigation into the alleged flood control corruption scam in the DPWH.

She served as a DPWH undersecretary for planning and public-private partnership (PPP) where she oversaw infrastructure planning, programming, and the implementation of PPP projects involving national roads, bridges, and flood control systems.

“Based on my knowledge, she was with [former DPWH] Undersecretary [for operations Roberto] Bernardo as the principal architects of the flood control scam,” Remulla said.

Cabral previously denied any link to the flood control controversy.

Meanwhile, the PNP is asking the family of Cabral to hand over her personal devices, including her cellphone and computers, as well as her bag, which are currently in her family’s custody.

Remulla noted there were lapses in the handling of some evidence during the course of investigation, which was acknowledged by Nartatez.

“The cellphone of Ms. Cabral is with the family. Of course, there were lapses on the part of the investigators. Any death of this nature is considered a crime scene. There must be extensive investigation first before any information is released,” Remulla said.

He emphasized that the vehicle and all materials at the scene should have been seized and included in the investigation.

Remulla said a PNP subpoena will be issued to Cabral’s family so that the pieces of evidence can be turned over to the investigators.

“We don’t like leaving any stones unturned. We need to examine every angle, which is also for the family’s benefit, to dispel any cover-up, whitewash, or similar concerns, and to allow for a thorough and proper assessment of the cause of Ms. Cabral’s death,” Nartatez said.