BAGUIO CITY — The Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera has formed a task force to focus on the investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
Police Colonel Lambert Suerte, director of the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO), said the task force—whose specific name has not been disclosed—was formed directly by PRO Cordillera Regional Director Police Brigadier General Ericson Dilag.
Prior to the formation of the task force, a case conference was held, led by the regional director and other police officers.
Media outlets sought additional information from police officials, but interviews were declined, with authorities saying details remain incomplete.
Cabral’s driver remains in the custody of Tuba police as the investigation continues.
A search warrant was served at Ion Hotel, allowing authorities to seize CCTV footage and guest records to help map Cabral’s movements and interactions. On the evening of 20 December, around 9:00 p.m., the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an inspection of the premises.
Investigators confirmed that Cabral and her driver had booked separate rooms, and several personal belongings were documented and processed as evidence.
Her remains were transported from Baguio City late Saturday night, departing around 11:30 p.m. and arriving in Metro Manila at 3:21 a.m. the following morning.
To examine the circumstances of the incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) scheduled a crime scene reenactment for 9:00 a.m. on 21 December along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet.
Authorities are working to establish the sequence of events leading to Cabral’s fall and are reconstructing a full timeline of her movements before and after her stay at Ion Hotel.
The next phase of the investigation includes forensic analysis of Cabral’s cellphone and other digital devices, which will be cross-referenced with CCTV and medico-legal findings to develop a comprehensive understanding of the case.