“If this was only an accident,” one question echoes nationwide, “why does every new detail make it feel more deliberate?”

The remains of former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral are now in Quezon City, but the questions surrounding her death refuse to rest.

What began as a reported fall into a ravine in Tuba, Benguet has rapidly evolved into a high-profile investigation involving the PNP, NBI, forensic units, and crime scene reconstruction teams—and with every development, public doubt only grows stronger.

Authorities confirm that Cabral’s body was transported late at night from Benguet and arrived past 3:00 a.m. at a memorial chapel in Quezon City. The journey itself was reportedly delayed due to the slow processing of documents—another detail that has drawn attention in an already controversial case.

Dashcam Footage That Changed Everything

One of the most explosive developments is a dashcam video that has gone viral online. The footage shows an SUV parked along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, around 10:00 a.m. on December 18. A woman is seen sitting calmly on a concrete barrier beside the road.

The NBI has confirmed possession of the video, stating that it aligns with earlier findings in their investigation. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla further verified that a selfie taken by Cabral’s driver matches the dashcam footage, strengthening claims that the woman seen in the video was indeed Catalina Cabral.

Authorities now say they are certain that Cabral was the woman later found in the ravine.

But instead of closing the case, this confirmation has opened a flood of new questions.

Police Intervention Before the Fall

During a crime scene reconstruction conducted by the PNP-CIDG, SOCO, and forensic units, patrolling police officers narrated a crucial interaction that took place earlier that day.

They recalled approaching Cabral and her driver when the SUV was first parked along Kennon Road.

“Ma’am, is there a problem with your vehicle? Do you need help?”

The driver reportedly replied, “No sir, she just wanted some fresh air.”

The officers then warned them that the area was dangerous and advised them to move to a safer, shaded parking spot.

Not long after, Cabral would be found 20 to 30 meters below the road, near a river at the bottom of a steep ravine.

Accident or Something More Sinister?

The PNP has not yet released the results of its forensic examination. However, the NBI’s actions have significantly intensified public concern.

Late last night, investigators searched two hotel rooms in Baguio where Cabral and her driver had checked in. The search was conducted under a warrant issued by Baguio RTC Branch 6, citing probable cause to believe that murder or homicide may have occurred due to suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Inside the hotel rooms, investigators found paper bags and a women’s shoulder bag containing Cabral’s photos and identification cards, along with credit and debit cards, keys, legal documents, prescription medication, and various papers.

What they did not find has become just as significant.

There were no electronic gadgets—no cellphone, no laptop, no tablet.

For many observers, this absence raises a chilling question:
How does a high-ranking government official simply vanish from the digital world?

A Case Entangled With a Bigger Scandal

The investigation is no longer limited to determining how Cabral died. Authorities have confirmed that they are also gathering evidence related to anomalous flood control projects, a scandal in which Cabral had previously been implicated.

This connection has fueled speculation that her death may not be isolated—but instead linked to a much larger web of corruption, silence, and power.

Cabral was known to have access to sensitive information regarding budget allocations, project approvals, and internal processes within DPWH. For critics, this places her in a dangerous position: someone who knew too much at a time when too many questions remain unanswered.

Public Outcry and Official Caution

As outrage and speculation spread online, the PNP has urged the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions, asking citizens to wait for the official results of the investigation.

Yet in a country where past cases have faded without resolution, patience is in short supply.

Every new detail—the dashcam footage, the missing gadgets, the hotel room search, the mention of possible homicide—adds weight to the belief that this is no ordinary accident.

A Death That Refuses to Be Silenced

From a quiet mountain road in Benguet to a memorial chapel in Quezon City, Catalina Cabral’s final journey has become a national reckoning.

Was she a victim of tragic misfortune?
Or was her silence secured at the edge of a ravine?

Until the full truth emerges, one thing is clear:
This case will not be buried quietly.

And for many Filipinos, the most haunting thought remains—

If this can happen to her, who will dare to speak next?