The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reinstated Lt. Col. Lambert Suerte as Benguet provincial director after an internal investigation cleared him of command responsibility regarding the death of a high-ranking government official.

Suerte’s return follows a regional internal review that found no misconduct on his part during the police response to the death of Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.

Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed the reinstatement Monday, citing the investigation’s findings. Suerte had been on medical leave since he was relieved of his post 22 December.

While Suerte was cleared, the review held Maj. Peter Camsol Jr., chief of the Tuba Municipal Police Office, accountable for procedural lapses at the local level.

Camsol will face administrative charges. Both officers were initially removed from their positions following allegations of mishandled evidence.

The PNP conducted the review after public criticism of the initial handling of the case. Despite the administrative errors, authorities reiterated that forensic examinations, CCTV footage, and witness accounts show no foul play in Cabral’s death.

“The case remains closed as far as criminal liability is concerned, while internal accountability measures against responsible officers will proceed,” the PNP said in a statement.

Officials stressed that while the death was not a crime, the procedural shortcomings identified during the investigation will be addressed to prevent future errors in high-profile cases.