AMID questions surrounding the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, authorities are investigating potential lapses in the initial police handling of the case. Concerns have arisen regarding the turnover of Cabral’s belongings, including her cellphone, to her family immediately after her body was discovered in a Benguet ravine.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged the missteps during a press conference on Friday. “It was a crime scene, so there were lapses on the part of the investigators,” he stated. “But we are doing everything we can now para ma-retrieve lahat ng mga materials (to retrieve these materials).”
The focus is now on retrieving and analyzing Cabral’s cellphone, which is currently in the possession of her family. “The cellphone will be analyzed later. We’re asking it from the family kasi kinuha nila (because they took it). So we’re gonna ask it later,” Remulla explained.
PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. addressed the possibility of disciplinary actions, saying, “Madali na lang mag-relieve. Tignan na lang muna natin kung anong mangyari, kung anong gagawin (It’s easy to relieve officers from their posts. Let’s just see what happens).”
Police Colonel Lambert Suerte, Benguet Police provincial director, confirmed that Cabral’s belongings were released to her family, including her vehicle. “Yung mga ari-arian naman niya, pati ‘yung sasakyan, na-turn over naman sa family niya…’Yung cellphone, hindi pa natin nakukuha, nasa family pa (Her belongings, including the car, were turned over to her family…We haven’t gotten the cellphone yet, it’s still with the family),” he said. He added that the family has been asked not to delete any data from the device.
The Office of the Ombudsman had previously instructed Benguet authorities to secure Cabral’s cellphone and other gadgets. Nartatez assured that the police force would be reminded of proper procedures in similar incidents. “We will remind them kung ano ‘yung tamang gagawin. May mga procedure tayo. Of course, the information was the bag with cellular phone was inside the vehicle,” he said.
Persons of Interest
Nartatez also revealed that Cabral’s driver is now considered a person of interest in the ongoing investigation. “So, ‘yung driver ang nag-drive doon. And the driver, of course, siya lang nagda-drive nung sasakyan, di naman sa kanya ‘yun. So, supposed to be, ‘yung persons of interest, so lahat naman iimbestigahan, including the driver and others who may have information to the incident,” Nartatez stated. He emphasized the importance of examining the vehicle and the surrounding area for potential evidence. “So ‘yung sa sakyan, kailangan, dapat nai-seize din natin ‘yun. or subjected for investigation and other pieces of evidence inside the car. And within the vicinity kung saan nahulog,” he added.
Further Investigation
Remulla announced that Cabral’s remains would undergo both DNA testing and an autopsy. “We are now going to mandate an autopsy at DNA test para sigurado talagang ang manner of death, kung may foul play o wala. But from initial reports, walang foul play,” he said. He also raised the possibility of a “budol-budol” scheme, emphasizing the need for absolute certainty in identifying the deceased. “Baka budol-budol ‘to, ‘di ba? So naninigurado lang tayo na siya talaga ‘yan,” he added.
Authorities are also seeking access to Cabral’s computers and laptops, which Remulla said would require a subpoena from the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman, or the NBI.
Cabral was found dead on Thursday evening, a few hours after asking her driver to drop her off along Kennon Road. She had resigned from her post in September 2025 amidst investigations into alleged corruption related to flood control projects.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had planned to invite Cabral to provide information on ghost and substandard flood control projects. Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo had previously implicated Cabral and other officials in kickback schemes related to these projects.
