The Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group on Thursday, Dec. 19, announced that former Public Works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral likely slipped and fell into a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, rather than being pushed.
Authorities based their conclusion on 3D scene scans, autopsy results, and toxicology reports.
Cabral’s body was discovered on the evening of Dec. 18 at the bottom of a 16.9-meter ravine near Camp 5 along Kennon Road. Investigators documented the scene and recovered physical evidence. Col. Pierre Paul Carpio, PNP Forensic Group officer in charge, said 3D scans showed Cabral landed just 0.2 meters from the base of the ravine, roughly 16.9 meters below the point where witnesses last saw her.
Carpio noted a large rock near the landing site and said a push would likely have caused her to hit it. He added that abrasions and injuries on Cabral’s hands and back indicated she struck objects while sliding down the slope.
Autopsy findings identified blunt traumatic injuries to Cabral’s head, neck, and limbs as the cause of death. She also suffered multiple fractures, contusions, and abrasions consistent with a fall down a steep incline. Investigators observed a subdural hemorrhage, attributed to vertical impact during the fall, and confirmed that all injuries appeared to occur in a single incident.
Toxicology tests revealed Cabral had traces of an antidepressant drug in her system. Investigators requested DNA specimens from relatives, but no family member provided samples. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the remains as Cabral’s through family recognition and official records and ordered an autopsy to rule out misidentification. Fingerprint comparisons further confirmed her identity.
Cabral previously faced allegations related to irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects, but she denied receiving kickbacks before her death.