A CLOUD of mystery surrounds the death of former Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, whose body was recovered from Bued River along Kennon Road late Thursday.
Cabral, previously embroiled in controversy over alleged flood control irregularities, was found unresponsive, sparking an investigation into the circumstances of her demise.
The grim discovery was made after Cabral’s driver, Ricardio Munos Hernandez, reported her missing to the Baguio City Police Office. According to Hernandez, he had driven Cabral from Baguio towards La Union when she requested to be dropped off at Purok Maramal, Sitio Camp 5 in Barangay Camp 4, a populated area within Tuba, Benguet. He stated that upon returning at 5 p.m., he could not find her, prompting him to seek help from the authorities.
Police search efforts led them to Cabral’s location approximately 30 meters from the riverbank. However, questions are being raised as to why it took Tuba firemen four hours to bring her body up to the road after she was initially sighted. Physician Gian Frances Salinas pronounced Cabral dead at 12:02 a.m. on Friday, December 19.
The circumstances surrounding Cabral’s death are under scrutiny, with authorities yet to determine the cause. Her previous involvement in flood control controversies adds another layer of complexity to the case, prompting speculation and calls for a thorough investigation.
