Authorities have ruled out foul play in the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, attributing her demise to suicide by blunt force trauma. The announcement came from Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who detailed the findings from the initial investigation.
Investigation Details Point to Suicide
Secretary Remulla stated that investigators found no signs of a struggle inside Cabral's vehicle. Crucially, they also found no skin cells under her fingernails, which would have indicated an attempt to fight off an assailant. The initial probe further revealed no gunshot wounds on her body.
Remulla provided a grim account of the incident, stating that Cabral had initially surveyed a ravine in Tuba, Benguet, and returned to the same spot an hour later to jump. He emphasized the lethality of her chosen method, noting the jump was from a height of 30 meters, comparable to a 10-story building. "The seriousness of the intent is measured by the lethality of the means," Remulla said. The impact resulted in severe injuries, including fractures to the right side of her face and the back of her head, broken ribs that pierced internal organs, and broken feet.
Ongoing Probe Amid National Interest and Flood Control Scandal
Despite these findings, Remulla affirmed that a deeper investigation is underway to examine all evidence thoroughly. This move aims to quell doubts and combat the spread of fake news surrounding the high-profile case.
The case has drawn intense national interest due to Cabral's alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso flood control projects controversy. Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed they are handling the investigation with heightened vigilance for this reason. The PNP has already coordinated with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and other concerned agencies to identify and secure evidence relevant to the flood control probe.
Nartatez acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation for Cabral's family but stated the necessity of proceeding with steps to obtain potential evidence in her possession. This includes her electronic gadgets, particularly her laptop and cellphone, as they are deemed to be of public interest. "This is really important for us as part of the commitment... that your PNP is committed to assist in finding the truth and pursue transparency and accountability," Nartatez emphasized.
Internal Supervision and Broader Implications
To prevent lapses, Nartatez has ordered stricter internal supervision of the local police units in Tuba involved in the Cabral case. This measure comes after an officer was reportedly relieved from duty due to procedural errors.
The PNP chief directly linked the death investigation to the larger scandal, stating the efforts are "not only to clarify the circumstances of her death but also to support our ongoing probe into the alleged flood control anomalies in the DPWH, so that no evidence is left unchecked." The PNP remains actively engaged with other agencies to secure all pieces of evidence related to the flood control controversy, underscoring the interconnected nature of the two inquiries.
