Investigators are now piecing together a detailed timeline of events leading to the alleged fall of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, as police continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Benguet Police Provincial Office said the ongoing probe is focused on verifying the movements of the victim in the hours after she was last seen by her driver on the afternoon of December 18.
Based on the sworn statement of driver Ricardio Munos Hernandez, 56, Cabral was dropped off at the Maramal section of Camp 5, Barangay Camp 4, at around 3:00 p.m. Police are now working to establish why the victim requested to be left in the area and whether she had any planned engagements or contacts after being dropped off.
Authorities said investigators are also checking possible witnesses who may have been in the vicinity during the time frame between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., when police eventually located the victim near the Bued River. This includes motorists, vendors, and personnel from nearby establishments along Kennon Road.
Police confirmed that Scene of the Crime Operatives from the Benguet Provincial Forensic Unit have completed initial processing of the area where the victim was found. Physical evidence, terrain conditions, and visibility along the stretch of the highway are being assessed to determine how the victim may have ended up at the location.
Investigators are likewise coordinating with local government units and emergency responders to reconstruct the retrieval operation and establish a clearer picture of the victim’s condition when she was discovered.
Authorities emphasized that, at this stage, no conclusions are being drawn as to the cause of the incident. Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and they are awaiting additional findings, including medical and forensic reports, before releasing further details.
A progress report is expected once all available evidence has been evaluated and remaining witnesses have been interviewed.