No wrongdoing found: Benguet police director back on post in Cabral case

Benguet, Philippines – The Benguet police chief, who was administratively relieved over alleged lapses in the death investigation of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, has been reinstated.

Police Colonel Lambert Suerte, director of the Benguet Provincial Police Office (BPPO), has been cleared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of any command responsibility following a regional review, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said during a press briefing on Friday.

Cabral was found dead in a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on December 18, 2025, days before her scheduled appearance before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) regarding her alleged involvement in a multi-billion-peso flood control corruption scandal.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier ordered the relief of Suerte and Tuba Police Chief Maj. Peter Camsol Jr. due to the investigating team’s alleged mishandling of the case, particularly the failure to immediately secure and preserve Cabral’s belongings, which could have been considered evidence at the outset of the probe.

On December 20, Tuaño confirmed Camsol’s relief. Suerte was initially retained after he was able to negotiate with the family of the deceased to allow an autopsy. Cabral’s family had initially resisted the procedure due to what they described as suspicious circumstances surrounding her death but later expressed willingness.

However, on December 22, Suerte was formally relieved of his post and subsequently went on medical leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

On January 9, 2026, Tuaño told reporters that the results of the regional internal review found no wrongdoing on Suerte’s part. After being cleared, the provincial police director resumed his post on Friday, the spokesperson added.

Investigators also revealed that no foul play was involved in Cabral’s death, based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, forensic findings, and witness accounts.