PNP conducts autopsy on remains of former DPWH undersecretary Cabral

BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine National Police conducted a medico-legal autopsy on the remains of former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral early Saturday morning.

The procedure was carried out from 12:02 a.m. to 3:45 a.m. on 20 December.

The autopsy was conducted after formal consent was given by Cabral’s husband, Cesar Cabral, following consultations held in the presence of three legal representatives. While the findings have yet to be made public, authorities said the examination forms part of standard protocol in determining the official cause of death in high-profile cases or those requiring forensic verification.

The request for an autopsy followed the sudden death of Cabral, a prominent figure in the country’s engineering and infrastructure sector. Initial reports stated that she was found unconscious and unresponsive at the Bued River below Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on Thursday night.

Although authorities reported no immediate signs of foul play at the scene, both investigators and the family opted to proceed with a forensic examination to ensure a definitive medical conclusion regarding her death.

Cabral served the DPWH for several years and previously held the post of undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Service. She was the first female president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and a known advocate of sustainable infrastructure development. She had earlier resigned from the DPWH after being linked to controversies surrounding flood control projects.

Meanwhile, PNP Public Information Office chief PBrig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Benguet Police Provincial Director PCol. Lambert Suerte was retained in his post after successfully negotiating with the family for the conduct of the autopsy.

Earlier, Jonvic Remulla, secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, had ordered the relief of Suerte and Tuba Municipal Police Chief PMaj. Peter Camsol over alleged lapses in the initial handling of Cabral’s death.