Viral Kennon Road dashcam video matches NBI probe

A dashcam video taken along Kennon Road in Benguet that went viral online matches the initial findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the death of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, authorities said.

According to Bea Pinlac’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, the dashcam footage recorded on the morning of December 18 showed a sports utility vehicle (SUV) parked along the roadside, with a woman seen sitting on a concrete barrier.

The NBI said the video is consistent with the initial findings in its investigation.

NBI operatives said Cabral and her driver had parked along the roadside while traveling to Baguio City.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla also confirmed that a selfie photo taken by Cabral’s driver is authentic and matches the individual seen in the dashcam footage.

Authorities further confirmed that the body recovered from a ravine was that of Cabral.

“With the confirmation of her death, we were able to clear up the speculation regarding the identity of the remains. The next step is to establish what really happened, and this is now the focus of all our efforts in relation to this case,” Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

But even with Cabral's death, authorities said they continue to track down her alleged involvement in the flood control corruption scandal. 

“Aside from the conduct of the investigation into this incident, the Philippine National Police is actively working with other agencies to secure all pieces of evidence related to the ongoing investigation into the flood control controversy,” Nartatez added.

“This is really important for us as part of the commitment we declared at the start of the flood control investigation—that your PNP is committed to helping find the truth and pursuing transparency and accountability,” he added.

On Sunday, personnel from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Scene of the Crime Operatives, and forensic units conducted a crime scene reconstruction along Kennon Road.

A patrolling police officer recalled flagging down Cabral and her driver when they stopped along the roadside.

Meanwhile, the NBI on Saturday searched the hotel room where Cabral had checked in.

A search warrant issued by the Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 6 stated that there was probable cause to believe that murder or homicide may have been committed, citing suspicious circumstances surrounding Cabral’s death.

Investigators recovered paper bags and a shoulder bag containing Cabral’s photos and identification cards, as well as credit and debit cards, legal documents, prescription drugs, and other items from the hotel room.

Cabral’s remains are currently at a memorial chapel in Quezon City.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News