BAGUIO CITY – An autopsy was conducted on the remains of former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral after her family finally approved the procedure.
Police Col. Lambert Suerte, Benguet police chief, remains in his post after successfully coordinating with Cabral’s family to allow the examination.
The procedure was carried out from 12:02 a.m. to 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. Suerte said the autopsy was approved by Cabral’s husband, Engr. Cesar, following consultation with the family and in the presence of three lawyers.
He assured that all necessary legal protocols would be observed.
Authorities said the autopsy will pave the way for a thorough investigation into the true cause of her death.
On Friday, Dec. 19, Suerte and Police Major Peter Camsol Jr., Tuba, Benguet Municipal Police Station chief, were relieved from their posts for allegedly mishandling the investigation of Cabral’s death.
In a press conference, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that they allegedly did not consider the scene of the incident to be a crime, because they did not close the area and the gravity of the situation, which should have been followed by all the rules of a possible crime.
Remulla said police had shortcomings in handling the crime scene and Cabral’s belongings were not given to the authorities, but to Cabral’s family.
The Police Regional-Cordillera Administrative Region confirmed the relief of Camsol and replaced him with Police Major Orville Wap, deputy chief of police of the La Trinidad MPS.
Meanwhile, a selfie of Cabral driver Cardo Hernandez is now circulating on social media, with her in the background, sitting on a concrete barrier on the side of Kennon Road before her death on Thursday.
Cabral’s lawyer, Jesus Falcis, reportedly requested that the photo be removed from social media because it was allegedly not verified. (Zaldy Comanda)
