MANILA, Dec. 21 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now gathering evidence to determine the circumstances behind the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.

"With the confirmation of her death, we were able to clear things up on the speculations of the identity of the remains. The next step is to establish what really happened and this is now the focus of all our efforts in relation to this case," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said in a statement Sunday.

Nartatez said the PNP is handling the probe carefully as the incident is of national interest due to Cabral's supposed knowledge in the anomalous flood control projects currently being investigated by...