Probe on Cabral's death still ongoing – PNP Chief

(Trigger warning: Mention of suicide)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday that while some evidence points to a possible suicide, the investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral remains ongoing, and no conclusion has been reached.

“The pieces of evidence that were gathered show that there was a suicide. Pero hindi pa, hindi pa natin masabi. Let the investigators makumpleto yung kanyang investigation, comparing every piece of evidence, every statement, and every footage,” said acting PNP chief P/Lt. General Melencio Nartatez Jr.

(The pieces of evidence gathered suggest a possible suicide, but we cannot conclude that for now. Investigators need to complete their work, comparing every piece of evidence, every statement, and every footage.)

"The investigation is not yet done,” he told reporters in a chance interview in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Cabral, former DPWH undersecretary for planning and public-private partnerships, was found on December 18 “unconscious and unresponsive” 20 to 30 meters below a highway hours after she instructed her driver to leave her at a portion of Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet.

She was later pronounced dead shortly after midnight on December 19.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Sunday that Cabral may have leapt to her death.

Citing initial findings of the investigation, Remulla said the former DPWH official surveyed the ravine in Tuba may indicate the “seriousness of the intent” to jump.

The Interior secretary added that Cabral reportedly chose a spot where she knew the impact of a fall would be fatal, as the ravine had a drop of about 30 meters—roughly equivalent to a 10-storey building.

Remulla previously noted that while there were no indications of foul play, the autopsy revealed injuries consistent with a high-impact fall.

Cabral resigned from the DPWH in September amid congressional investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, including claims of kickbacks involving lawmakers and government officials.—MCG, GMA Integrated News