With the investigation revealing blunt force trauma as the cause of death, Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral initially surveyed the ravine in Tuba, Benguet before jumping to her demise at the same spot, an hour later.

“Paakyat pa lang ng Baguio, pinatigil niya ang driver at the exact same spot. Tapos, naglalakad na siya papunta doon sa edge, nakita sila ng pulis, [sinabi] ‘bawal pumarada d’yan, umalis kayo’, then dumiretso na sila sa hotel,” Remulla explained.

He added that at the height of 30 meters comparable to a 10-story building, Cabral chose a spot where she knew she would hit hard. “The seriousness of the intent is measured by the lethality of the means.”

Cabral, who jumped to her death at a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba Town in Benguet, was a key figure in the ongoing investigation of national and local officials involved in the alleged budget insertion and ghost flood control projects in various parts of the country.

In an interview, Remulla said based on the results of the autopsy, there were no signs of foul play in the death of Cabral. “Ang autopsy, number one, tiningnan muna namin ‘yung scene of the incident. Wala kami nakitang foul play. Ang kotse niya ay walang nakitang signs of foul play either.”

He said all indicators and initial findings point to suicide as a probable reason for Cabral’s death. He underscored that despite this, intensive investigation accessing the pieces of evidence will be executed to dispel suspicions and fake news.

“The only way to counter itong mga conspiracy theories is to tell the truth, so hinahanap talaga namin ang katotohanan,” he underscored.

The DILG Chief also revealed that the autopsy indicated results consistent with blunt trauma force as a result of the 30-meter fall comparable to the height of a 10-story building. “Ang nakita namin ay basag ang dito niya [right side of face], likod ng ulo. Ang ribs niya ay pumasok sa internal organs at bali ang kanyang mga paa.”

He also stated that there were no signs of struggles in the car and no skin cells were found in Cabral’s fingernails. He added that there were no gunshot wounds so far in the investigation.