By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has firmly denied online claims linking the death of Engineer Larry Reyes to any investigation, stressing that the senior official’s passing was a private matter and should not be drawn into agency controversies.
Reyes, a key figure in the Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office and chair of its Bids and Awards Committee, was found dead earlier this week. Initial reports provided to the department indicate that he died by suicide.
Calling the situation “a deeply personal matter,” the DPWH appealed to the public to stop circulating speculation.
The agency clarified that “his death should not be linked to any inquiry or controversy involving the agency,” emphasizing that no probe — particularly those related to flood control projects — had anything to do with Reyes’ passing.
Reyes had reportedly been dealing with long-standing health problems, including diabetes, which colleagues said had caused him severe stress. He had also been anxious about possibly undergoing dialysis, a procedure a close relative was currently going through.
Inside the district office, he was known for his meticulous adherence to procurement rules and his strict leadership of the Bids and Awards Committee, according to DPWH.
In its official statement, the DPWH extended condolences to the family and paid tribute to Reyes’ years of service, urging the public to allow loved ones the space to grieve and to avoid sharing unverified claims./PN
