The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been ordered to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral who was found dead in Tuba, Benguet. 

PNP Acting Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he directed the Regional Director of Police Regional Office–Cordillera Administrative Region to ensure that all possible angles surrounding the incident are examined to establish the cause of death and the circumstances leading to it.

“While there was already an initial impression regarding what happened, we should not rule out any factors until our forensic investigators are able to establish the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it,” he said.

Cabral reportedly fell from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on Thursday, 18 December.

According to police, the incident was reported by Cabral’s driver, who said she asked him to leave her briefly along a portion of Kennon Road while they were traveling from Baguio City to La Union. The driver said that he went to the nearest gas station and, upon returning, found that Cabral was no longer at the site.