Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral stopped at a rockfall netting project site along Kennon Road shortly before her death. The same project is now under investigation and may face a criminal complaint from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Magalong said Cabral asked to be left alone near the site. He added that documents showing possible problems with the quality of work and the source of materials used in the project were already sent to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
Cabral went to Baguio on the morning of December 18. Later that day, her driver reported her missing. Police from Baguio and Benguet worked together to search for her.
She was found unconscious near the Bued River along Kennon Road at around 8 p.m. Her body was brought up to the roadside near the rock-netting area, and she was declared dead early Friday morning. Her remains were turned over to her family on Saturday night.
Magalong said he had already submitted a full investigation report on the Kennon Road projects to President Marcos. He has inspected the area many times since 2020 due to concerns about poor repair work.
The mayor said the case file is complete and may be used to file charges against engineers and the contractor involved. The contractor’s materials were reportedly supplied by a company linked to a lawmaker’s family.
Police are still investigating the case, including the actions of Cabral’s driver. Authorities are also reviewing security footage from a nearby hotel to help complete the investigation.
