PNP says antidepressant drug detected from Cathy Cabral's body
The body of former Department of Public Works and Highways Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral tested positive for an antidepressant drug, according to the Philippine National Police.
The toxicology report revealed the presence of the antidepressant medication Citalopram, as per an ABS-CBN News report.
Authorities noted, however, that there were no abnormalities or terminal diseases found in Cabral's histopathological exam.
An earlier autopsy report detailed that Cabral had died of "blunt traumatic injury consistent with a fall."
"The initial reports show that, with all certainty, she died of blunt force trauma," Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla told the media, noting Cabral's several injuries, including a broken face and feet.
"Wala kami nakitang signs of struggle sa kotse," he added. "So far, no signs of foul play."
Cabral died after she allegedly fell from a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on Dec. 18.
According to Benguet Police, Cabral and her driver, Ricardo Hernandez, were on their way to La Union at around 3 p.m. when they made a stopover along Kennon Road, where Cabral requested to be left alone.
Hernandez said he went to a nearby gasoline station before returning to the area at around 5 p.m., but Cabral was nowhere in sight.
He searched the area before going to Cabral's hotel in Baguio City, but did not find her there. He then reported the incident to the police at around 7 p.m., where they later found Cabral's lifeless body below the highway along a riverbank.
Cabral is one of the former DPWH officials accused of facilitating budget insertions through the National Expenditure Program by way of substandard and ghost projects and is facing administrative charges.
Former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo alleged that Cabral is involved in kickbacks that benefited several public officials.
