DNA testing on body, retrieval of Cabral's gadgets ordered

The Office of the Ombudsman has directed authorities in Benguet to take custody of the cell phone and other gadgets of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, amid its ongoing investigation on the flood control scam.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in a statement sent via Viber on Thursday night that Cabral's cell phone and other gadgets should be “turned over to the investigators at the proper time.”

“We need her phone at ALL COST!” he said.

Cabral was among the government officials being investigated by the ombudsman in connection with the flood control project anomalies.

A career DPWH official, she resigned from her post last September after being implicated in the alleged budget insertions for ghost flood control projects in exchange for kickbacks.

At a press conference yesterday, Clavano reiterated the importance of securing Cabral's cellphone and other gadgets as information to be extracted from them would be crucial in the ombudsman's ongoing investigation.

He said Cabral's family has been cooperative so far, especially when it comes to allowing her remains to be subjected to autopsy, and they are hopeful that the family will also cooperate with the request to turn over her gadgets to authorities.