ABS-CBN
Search in Taal Lake for missing sabungeros starts this week -- Remulla
Relatives of 34 missing cockfight aficionados visited the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking an update on the investigation.
A whistleblower claimed the missing sabungeros were killed, tied to sandbags, and dumped into Taal Lake.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the search for the bodies in Taal Lake will begin this week.
The DOJ is planning to map out the search area and assess the conditions to develop a strategy for the operation, considering a suspect's fishpond lease location as the starting point.
Technical divers will be needed for the operation, and the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy are being considered for assistance.
The Department of Science and Technology stated that the bones of the missing cockfight enthusiasts may still be recovered in Taal Lake if their bodies were indeed dumped there, as bones do not decompose.
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Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) began their search for the remains of missing sabungeros in Taal Lake on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) stated that the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts could still be retrieved from Taal Lake if their bodies were indeed disposed of there.
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Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are continuing underwater search operations in Taal Lake for 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts.
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Divers retrieved two more sacks believed to contain human bones from Taal Lake, Batangas, bringing the total to five sacks recovered.
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is expediting the forensic examination of items retrieved from Taal Lake, including those found in five sacks by the Philippine Coast Guard.
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