NBI examines seized items from Cabral's hotel room

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into the items seized from the hotel room where former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral stayed before she died.

According to Chino Gaston’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the NBI did not discuss the value of the pieces of evidence found in Cabral's hotel room but said the items are related to its investigation into her death.

“May ilang pirasong documento that are subject to verification pero sabi ko nga we are the discretion of the court kung paano ididspose yan, kung ano disposition kaya irereturn natin ang search warrant, and eventually, after the return of the search warrant, we will be able to learn from the court kung anong dapat gawin sa mga seized items,” NBI spokesperson Atty. Palmer Mallari said.

(Some documents are subject to verification, but we are at the discretion of the court on how to dispose of that. We will return the search warrant, and eventually, after the return of the search warrant, we will be able to learn from the court what should be done with the seized items.)

“I cannot say kung kasama yan o related yan pero ang masasabi ko lang po, kahit papano, may relasyon dun sa iniimbistigahan nating kaso. We did not get a suicide note,” he added.

(I cannot say if it is related or not, but all I can say is that it is somehow related to the case we are investigating. We did not get a suicide note.)

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said there is no foul play in Cabral's death.

“Pieces of evidence that were gathered say there is suicide, but di pa natin masabi. Let the investigators complete their investigation and compare every piece of evidence, statement, and footage,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Nartatez said.

(Pieces of evidence that were gathered say there is suicide, but we can't say yet. Let the investigators complete their investigation and compare every piece of evidence, statement, and footage.)

The NBI is also examining the selfie of Cabral’s driver and the viral dashcam footage that allegedly caught the former DPWH undersecretary by the riverside.

Meanwhile, another search warrant is needed to acquire Cabral's phone.

NBI would also conduct a polygraph test if they are not satisfied with the statement of Cabral’s driver.

The Office of the Ombudsman also issued a subpoena directing the DPWH to produce and turn over all computers and devices issued to Cabral.

In response, DPWH said it is willing to follow the Ombudsman’s order and even provide them with Cabral’s documents, records, and files. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News