Authorities have confirmed that the remains recovered in Tuba, Benguet belong to former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Catalina Cabral, with investigators concluding that her death resulted from injuries consistent with a fall, not foul play.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said findings showed no gunshot wounds or signs of external violence, adding that the blunt force trauma sustained by Cabral aligned with a fall from a height.
The confirmation came as questions continue to swirl around the circumstances of her death, given her past role in government and her connection to an ongoing corruption probe.
Remulla noted that Cabral’s husband is expected to surrender her personal belongings to investigators after burial rites, a step authorities say will help complete the reconstruction of her final movements. Law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation remains active as they work to close remaining gaps in the timeline.
The Philippine National Police, through Public Information Office chief Randulf Tuano, said the official autopsy report is expected to be released within the day, which could further clarify lingering questions and formally settle the cause of death.
Cabral’s passing has drawn heightened public attention because of her earlier involvement in the government’s flood control programs. She had been cited in recent months in connection with allegations of large-scale irregularities in project approvals, accusations that placed former officials under intense scrutiny and fueled a broader national debate on accountability in infrastructure spending.
While authorities maintain that the medical findings point to an accidental death, the convergence of her confirmed identity, the pending autopsy, and the unresolved corruption investigation ensures that the case will continue to be closely watched, both for its legal implications and its impact on public trust in government oversight.