Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed a comprehensive investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral. The incident occurred in Tuba, Benguet, on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
PNP Chief Demands Thorough Investigation
In an official statement, General Nartatez confirmed he has tasked the Regional Director of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region to lead the probe. "I have already ordered a thorough investigation into this incident for us to have a clear picture of what happened," Nartatez stated. He emphasized that while initial impressions exist, no potential factor should be ruled out until forensic experts establish the definitive cause and circumstances of death.
The PNP chief specifically addressed the swirl of online speculation, noting that the investigation aims to uncover the truth. He revealed that allegations concerning Cabral's involvement in flood control projects will be one of the angles scrutinized by investigators. Nartatez appealed to the public and netizens to avoid speculation and await the official results.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded along the scenic yet perilous Kennon Road. Cabral's driver informed authorities that while traveling from Baguio City to La Union, the former official asked to be left alone momentarily by the roadside. The driver complied and proceeded to the nearest gas station.
Upon his return, Cabral was nowhere to be found. The driver subsequently checked their hotel before seeking police assistance to report her missing. Cabral's body was later discovered after an apparent fall from a cliff in the area. Her remains were taken to a nearby funeral parlor.
Challenges and Next Steps for Investigators
Benguet Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Lambert Suerte provided further details in a radio interview. He confirmed that Cabral's family has consented to an autopsy on her remains, which is crucial for determining whether the fall was accidental, due to a medical condition, or deliberate.
Colonel Suerte acknowledged a significant challenge: the absence of security cameras in the immediate area where the incident occurred. He also noted that Cabral's personal gadgets and vehicle have been turned over to her family, but investigators have advised them not to delete any information from her cellphone pending official custody for digital forensic examination.
Malacañang has extended its condolences to the bereaved family of the former DPWH official. The PNP, for its part, has committed to assisting in the investigation and any related case build-up, particularly concerning broader issues of flood control, in the interest of truth and accountability.
