MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday that the driver of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral has been tagged as a person of interest in connection with her sudden death.
Cabral died Thursday night after allegedly falling from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, police said.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said investigators found the driver’s account questionable, stressing that leaving a principal or VIP alone in an isolated area goes against common sense.
He noted that Cabral’s bag and cellphone were reportedly left inside the vehicle, and that the driver claimed he intended to return for her after one to two hours.
Tuaño clarified that being labeled a person of interest does not mean the driver is already a suspect.
Based on the driver’s statement, he and Cabral were traveling along Kennon Road toward La Union at around 3 p.m. when Cabral allegedly asked him to stop and leave her there. The driver said he then went to a nearby gasoline station.
When he returned to the area at around 5 p.m., Cabral was no longer there. He proceeded to the hotel where Cabral was staying, but she was also not found there.
The driver reported the incident to the police at around 7 p.m. About an hour later, authorities discovered Cabral’s body near the Bued River, at least 20 meters below the highway.
The PNP said Cabral’s family declined to have an autopsy conducted.
More details to follow.