Suicide or conspiracy? Death of key DPWH figure fuels speculation

National

QUESTIONS swirled over the death of Maria Catalina Cabral, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary, after her body was found Thursday in a ravine along Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet.

Authorities are investigating whether her death was suicide or the result of foul play.

Cabral, 63, had been a key figure in a probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said initial autopsy results point to suicide but stressed that authorities must consider all possibilities. He relieved the Tuba police chief and the Benguet provincial police director for mishandling the case, citing their decision to return Cabral’s cell phone to her relatives instead of securing it as evidence.

Cabral had been traveling with her driver, Ricardo Munos Hernandez, and earlier requested to stop at a roadside location near a steep drop in Maramal, Camp 4, but police reportedly prohibited it.

They continued to a Baguio City hotel, where CCTV footage confirmed she did not meet anyone. Later, she instructed Hernandez to leave her at the same spot in Maramal.

When he returned, Cabral was missing. She was found around 8 p.m., lying near the Bued River 20 to 30 meters below the highway, and brought to a funeral parlor in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing the need to secure Cabral’s documents and gadgets, which may contain sensitive information on the alleged flood control irregularities.

Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said Cabral, as former undersecretary for planning, had access to critical information and urged authorities to preserve her files for digital forensic examination.

The ICI noted that if foul play is confirmed, it could involve individuals connected to the alleged anomalies.

Remulla criticized local police for initially treating the case as a routine suicide. “A matter of this sensitive nature, (the area) has to be treated as a crime scene. They returned the personal effects of usec. Cabral to her husband,” he said in a Philstar report.

Despite her family’s objection, an autopsy was conducted. Cabral sustained multiple injuries consistent with a fall and her body will undergo DNA testing.

Cabral, a civil engineer with advanced degrees in management, had cooperated with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson described her death as tragic, noting it occurred when she could have helped expose corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Malacañang also expressed condolences, with Palace press officer Claire Castro saying the government was saddened by the loss and extended sympathy to her family.(MyTVCebu)