Camille Naredo

the logos of the Philippine National Police and the Highway Patrol Group. Camp Crame in Quezon City. October 19, 2017.

the logos of the Philippine National Police and the Highway Patrol Group. Camp Crame in Quezon City. October 19, 2017. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Philippine National Police

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reinstated Police Colonel Lambert Suerte as the provincial director of the Benguet Police Provincial after clearing him of any command responsibility in the investigation into the death of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.Acting PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. welcomed Suerte&#x27;s return, stressing that the move reflects the organization&#x27;s commitment to due process and fairness in law enforcement.&quot;We always ensure that every officer is given due process, and a fair and impartial investigation. Tuloy-tuloy ang aming pagsunod sa batas at patakaran ng PNP upang hindi maapektuhan ang integridad ng ating kapulisan,&quot; he said.&quot;This case proves that accountability is balanced with fairness; our officers must be protected from premature judgments until the facts are fully verified,&quot; he added. Suerte had been relieved of his post on December 22, 2025, following alleged lapses in handling evidence related to Cabral&#x27;s death, and had been on medical leave since then. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/27/nbi-video-matches-timeline-in-death-of-ex-dpwh-usec-cabral-1017">READ: NBI video matches timeline in death of ex-DPWH Usec. Cabral</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/29/cabral-deliberately-plunged-to-her-death-unlikely-pushed-pnp-1148">READ: Cabral may have slid down ravine, unlikely pushed -- PNP</a></div>A regional internal review, however, found no misconduct on his part. Instead, Police Major Peter Camsol Jr., chief of the Tuba Municipal Police Office, was held accountable and will face administrative charges.Authorities maintained that there was no foul play involved in Cabral&#x27;s death, citing forensic results, CCTV footage, and witness accounts. The review was conducted following public criticism over the initial handling of the case, highlighting procedural gaps at the municipal level that are now being addressed.

Suerte had been relieved of his post on December 22, 2025, following alleged lapses in handling evidence related to Cabral's death, and had been on medical leave since then.

Suerte had been relieved of his post on December 22, 2025, following alleged lapses in handling evidence related to Cabral's death, and had been on medical leave since then.

Benguet police chief reinstated after being cleared in Cabral case

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Benguet police chief reinstated after being cleared in Cabral case

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 12, 2026 03:58 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 12, 2026 06:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine National Police

Lambert Suerte

PNP

Catalina Cabral

Benguet

Benguet police

Cabral death

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