Investigation into the bomb threat against top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Catanduanes has shifted to tracing exactly where the letter originated as a source claimed the envelope was postmarked in the United States.
Last Jan. 14, 2026, personnel from the PNP Explosives Ordnance Disposal and Canine (EOD/K9) Group were dispatched to the DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office after it received a letter containing a bomb threat.
The bomb-sniffing dog and the EOD/K9 handlers, however, did not turn up any explosive at the premises at the San Isidro Village office last Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 14, 2026, reliable sources said.
Reports stated that two days earlier, the DPWH administrative officer received a letter delivered by a mail carrier of the Virac Post Office and addressed to OIC-District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco
Apparently, DE Biaco opened the letter the following Wednesday and immediately reported the matter to the Virac Municipal Police Station.
At 3:50 PM, the Virac MPS coordinated with PNP Provincial Operations Management Unit at Camp Francisco Camacho to request the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Canine unit.
The EOD-K9 personnel and Virac law enforcers conducted a rigorous paneling and bomb sniffing operation in the four buildings inside the DPWH compound to detect and neutralize any explosive or dangerous materials.
Fortunately, the inspection that ended at 6 PM yielded negative results, with the authorities advising officials and employees of the Catanduanes DEO to strengthen security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A copy of the three-page letter furnished to the Tribune showed that it was dated November 21, 2025, was unsigned and did not contain the name of the sender.
The sender accused Biaco of being involved in the unfinished school buildings in Viga, Gigmoto and Bagamanoc. The attached photo and story was apparently copied from the Tribune website.
“(W)hen asked about these projects you flatly refused to cooperate and answer any questions,” the letter stated. “The funds for these projects were not meant to enrich yourselves or your family.”
The sender threatened to wipe out the DPWH officials and all members of her family as well as burn their properties to ashes.
He or she also stated that other government officials involved in these irregularities and corruption cases will likewise face the same wrath and consequences, including a former district engineer who has already retired.
“So vacate this building permanently as several bombs will detonate your building anytime!!!” the letter sender said.
An investigator of the Virac Municipal Police Station was dispatched to the local post office to check the origin of the letter which was apparently mailed from the USA/
The unfinished projects referred to in the letter were the four-story school building abandoned in 2019 by a construction company owned by controversial contractor Sarah Discaya that was implemented by her local partners – a former local official and a contractor based in Quezon City.
In 2018, the duo reportedly bagged four such projects, with the other three in Bagamanoc, Bato and Caramoran, with the contracts in the name of Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation of Pasig City.
However, Discaya’s partners allegedly ran out of money and abandoned the projects with accomplishments ranging from five to 10 percent after collecting 15 percent mobilization fee.
Another contractor took over the Viga project but also left it unfinished, prompting the DPWH Catanduanes DEO to recommend the termination of the four contracts, with the funds reverting to the National Treasury and Alpha & Omega forced to pay liquidated damages to the DPWH.