Cathy Cabral died due to traumatic injury ‘consistent with fall’ – autopsy

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The autopsy pushes through after Cabral's family, who were initially reluctant, finally gave their permission

MANILA, Philippines – Late former undersecretary Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral died due to “blunt traumatic injury consistent with a fall,” according to an autopsy report released by the police on Saturday, December 20.

The Philippine National Police on Saturday conducted the examination, which lasted from 12:02 am to 3:45 am, according to local police

Autopsy allows experts to determine the cause and manner of Cabral’s death through a thorough medical examination. This will help the police in their probe into the former DPWH official’s death.

On Saturday, Cabral’s family had finally agreed for her remains to be autopsied, the local police said. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla also confirmed this to Rappler.

According to Benguet Police Provincial Director Police Colonel Lambert Suerte, Cabral’s husband, Cesar, gave the consent after a family consultation and in the presence of three lawyers.”

“After consultation within the family, consent was given for the autopsy, and we ensured that all legal and procedural requirements were followed,” Suerte said.

Cabral, who was tagged in budget insertions through the DPWH, was found unconscious in Benguet on Thursday, December 18. Shortly after authorities retrieved her body, she was pronounced dead at around 12:03 am on Friday, December 19.

Cabral’s family initially refused an autopsy on Friday. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the authorities needed to properly explain to Cabral’s family the legal necessity of this examination.

Remulla on Friday said the autopsy is a must to determine the real circumstances surrounding Cabral’s death and to rule out the foul play angle.

Amid the family’s reluctance, the Office of the Ombudsman reiterated that under the Department of Justice’s Circular No. 13, series of 2023, autopsy is mandatory for suspicious or violent deaths.

“Because this was among the things we did at the DOJ, we came out with a rule on automatic autopsy for suspicious deaths, which contemplated exactly this type of situation,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a mix of Filipino and English on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Administrative Region also created the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) “Cabral,” effective Friday, to conduct a focused probe into the former DPWH official’s death.

The SITG is composed of investigators and specialists from regional and provincial units, including crime laboratory and field offices. – Rappler.com