DPWH confirms death of Sorsogon district exec

MANILA, Philippines — A public works engineering official assigned in Sorsogon has died, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed yesterday, while appealing to the public to cease speculating on the circumstances behind the death.

In a statement, the DPWH said the death of Larry Reyes of the Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) was “a profoundly private and personal matter and not related to any of the agency’s issues.”

Reyes was an administrative officer and long-time chairman of the bids and awards committee of the 1st DEO.

“The entire Department of Public Works and Highways family is mourning the passing of our colleague, Engr. Larry Reyes,” the DPWH said.

“While there is much speculation and unverified reports on social media regarding his circumstances, Engr. Reyes’ family has requested the public and media for privacy and necessary space to grieve his deep loss away from public scrutiny, especially during this difficult time,” it added.

“The DPWH urges everyone to honor the family’s need for privacy and refrain from discussing or perpetuating unconfirmed reports,” it pointed out.

“Our focus remains on supporting the family and our team members through this period of mourning. We thank you for your compassion and understanding.”

The DPWH issued the statement amid reports on social media and from some news outlets that Reyes had died of suicide.

The DPWH Sorsogon 1st DEO, headed by district engineer Priscilla Jebulan, has been steadily conducting procurement activities and awarding contracts to contractors in the past weeks and months seemingly unbothered by the flood control projects scandal.