NBI finds new dashcam video 'substantial' in probe of Cabral's death

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it received new dashcam footage that could be "substantial" in the ongoing investigation of the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Friday, the footage obtained by GMA Integrated News showed Cabral sitting on the concrete pavement between safety barriers on December 18, 2025.

The NBI said that this may have been the final footage of Cabral while she was alive, showing that she had no companion.  Her vehicle was also not in the area.

“Mayroon kaming nakita na very, very substantial, isang dashcam footage na nagsasabi at nagpapakita kay Usec Cabral na nakaupo na sa pinakababa… Yung mga previous kasi na mga footages at mga pictures na pinakikita para siyang nagsa-sightseeing. Nandoon, nakaupo siya sa barrier o kaya nakatayo siya with the vehicle. [Dito sa bagong footage], walang ibang tao, walang sasakyan. That would only prove among others na wala talagang kasama during the time that she was last seen alive,” said NBI spokesperson head agent Palmer Mallari.

(We found dashcam footage that was very, very substantial, which is a dashcam footage showing Usec Cabral sitting… The previous footage and pictures seemed she was sightseeing. It showed her sitting on the barrier or standing with the vehicle. [In the new footage], there was no other person and no cars. That would only prove among others that she really had no one with her during the time that she was last seen alive.)

“Ang nakuha po naming footage, which was examined frame by frame, suggests na nandoon na po siya sa baba. Doon sa footage na nakuha natin, andoon pa yung coordinates and the particular date and time kung saan makikita kung anong oras siya nandoon. When the agents visited the coordinates, nagmatch po ito sa lugar kung san narecover ang kaniyang body later on,” he added.

(The footage we received, which was examined frame by frame, suggests that she was sitting below. In the footage we received, it even had the coordinates and the particular date and time, where you can see what time she was there. When the agents visited the coordinates, it matched the exact location where her body was recovered later on.)

The NBI said the new developments shared a clearer insight into what could have happened to Cabral, noting that the injuries sustained by the retrieved body was consistent with someone who slipped down the ravine.

“Yung pwesto niya ay parang about to go down at magpapadausdos. Yung messages subsequent to the date and the time na andoon sa nakuha naming footage at wala na po siya. That must mean that must be the last time that the body was found alive,” Mallari said.

(Her position seemed like she was about to go down and slide. ,,,That must be the last time that the body was found alive.)

The NBI shared that they had identified the body retrieved in a ravine in Kennon Road with the use of fingerprint matching with their clearance section’s database.

The body’s identification matches that of the late DPWH official.

Meanwhile, the NBI said it is also looking into the anti-anxiety medication and two blades found among Cabral’s possessions.

“The product literature of these medicines suggests that these were actually being taken by somebody who suffers from sleep and anxiety disorders… Prolonged use would be able to develop a feeling of suicide or suicidal tendencies… Napakamamahalin [noong] bag pero may 2 kutsilyo, (The bag is expensive but it has two knives.)” said Mallari. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News