Remulla: Ex-DPWH exec’s phone to undergo forensic analysis
Initial autopsy results indicate that former Public Works undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral died from blunt force trauma from her fall, with no signs of foul play, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Saturday.
“The initial reports show that with all certainty that she died of blunt force trauma. So, what we saw fractured were the right side of her face, behind her head, with her ribs entering her internal organs, and her feet were broken,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“We didn’t see signs of struggle in the car, no skin cells were seen underneath the fingernails, and no gunshot wounds were seen… So far, no signs of foul play,” he added.
The Interior Secretary also confirmed that the selfie circulating on social media showing Cabral was taken from the cellphone of her driver, Cardo Hernandez.
Remulla said the photo was taken at around 8 a.m. on Thursday, before Cabral and her driver traveled to Baguio City and checked into a hotel.
Remulla said Cabral’s spouse also agreed to turn over her mobile phone.
Asked about the possibility of the phone being tampered, the Interior chief said: “There is a forensics analysis for that, so you can’t remove all (data from) that.”
The chief of the Tuba, Benguet Municipal Police Station, Maj. Peter Camsol, has already been relieved from his post due to lapses in the investigation into Cabral’s death, PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said.
Remulla said that based on the backtracking of the CCTV footage at Ion hotel where Cabral stayed, she was alone both when she entered and exited the hotel.
A search warrant was issued against Ion Hotel after its management earlier refused to give authorities access to CCTV footage and other documents related to Cabral.
Remulla said based on their initial probe, Ion Hotel used to be owned by Cabral before it was sold to Benguet Rep. Eric Yap.
“It is evident she and Eric Yap have a relationship, business wise,” he said in a radio interview.
Remulla noted that the rock netting project in Benguet involved both Yap and Cabral as well.
“It is evident the rock netting project went through the office of Usec. Cabral… It is evident the supplier and contractor of the rock netting is Eric Yap. So, somehow, there is a relationship,” Remulla added.
Ion Hotel declined to release any information to the public regarding Cabral’s stay.
“In strict compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, lon Hotel is unable to confirm, deny, or disclose any information relating to guest records, including whether any individual checked in or stayed at the hotel,” the hotel said in a statement.
“lon Hotel is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities and will provide any information that may be lawfully required through proper legal channels… We respectfully request understanding and ask that the privacy of all parties involved be observed as the investigation proceeds.”
As this developed, former Finance Usec. Cielo Magno urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to disclose to the public Cabral’s testimonies.
“We don’t know what the agreement and arrangement is between ICI and Usec. Cabral. Did she agree to be a witness?” Magno said in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel.
“it’s important for the ICI to be very transparent because we don’t know what the conversation is. We don’t know what documents they’ve uncovered. Where are they in terms of the investigation? We are all the more lost now due to Cabral’s death,” she added.
