CCTV reveals movements of Usec. Catalina Cabral in Benguet hotel

• Security footage from a hotel in Tuba, Benguet has surfaced showing the activities of Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral prior to her tragic death
• The CCTV recordings capture Cabral checking in on December 18 and leaving the premises later that afternoon with her driver in an SUV toward Kennon Road
• Laboratory tests conducted by authorities confirmed the presence of an antidepressant in Cabral’s system while fingerprints at the scene matched her own
• Investigators have stated that there is currently no evidence of foul play and her driver has been cleared of involvement following initial questioning

The investigation into the tragic death of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral has moved forward as new evidence surfaced. A hotel in Tuba, Benguet finally released CCTV footage that provides a clearer picture of her final hours on December 18, 2025.

In the recordings obtained by authorities, Cabral is seen arriving at the hotel early in the afternoon. She appeared calm as she walked through the property and checked in at the front desk. Shortly after, her driver arrived and helped her to a room located on the fourth floor.

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The footage shows a series of movements between the rooms: the driver entered his own room, and a little later, Cabral went to the driver's room and briefly stepped inside. By late afternoon, the two were seen leaving the hotel together in an SUV, traveling toward Kennon Road. Interestingly, the hotel cameras did not capture the driver’s movements later that evening, and other parts of the recording are being kept private by investigators for further study.

Inside Cabral’s hotel room, investigators found several personal items, including various medicines and a small knife. These were collected as part of the standard procedure to understand her state of mind. Medical results later confirmed that an antidepressant was present in her system.

As of this writing, officials have shared that the findings do not point to foul play. The fingerprints recovered from the scene matched Cabral’s, and her driver, who was initially a person of interest, has been cleared for now after no direct link to the incident was found.

Catalina "Cathy" Cabral was a high-ranking official known for her long service in the DPWH. She was highly respected in the engineering and public works sector for her expertise in planning and public-private partnerships. Her sudden loss has shocked the agency and the public alike, prompting a very careful and thorough investigation by local and national authorities.

To further understand the circumstances, authorities are currently reviewing Cabral’s mobile phone. They are looking into her recent calls, messages, and social media activity to gain insight into her emotional state leading up to the incident.

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Recent reports have highlighted the crucial role of security recordings in piecing together the timeline of this case. The CCTV footage from the Benguet hotel provided the first real look at Undersecretary Catalina Cabral’s activities just hours before the fall. These visual leads are currently being cross-referenced with witness statements to ensure that every minute of her final day is accounted for by the police.

While the driver has been cleared of direct involvement in the fall, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) previously considered the use of a lie detector test. This step was part of the broader effort to verify the driver's statements regarding their movements after leaving the hotel. Authorities want to ensure that all testimonies provided match the forensic evidence found at the site of the tragedy.

Source: KAMI.com.gh