PH finds potential drug war victim remains in Taal Lake

Four years after the disappearance of sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts), the Philippine government has recovered what appears to be human remains during an ongoing search operation in Taal Lake, Batangas province.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Thursday that ribs and other skeletal remains were found based on information provided by accused Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan.

A total of four sacks containing debris believed to be human remains have been recovered from a specific quadrant of the lake identified as a dumping site for victims, with search operations temporarily halted due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Earlier, three bodies exhumed near the lake were linked to missing sabungeros but not directly related to the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

The DOJ plans to continue forensic examinations and DNA testing to confirm if the retrieved debris are indeed human remains, while also seeking assistance from Argentina for expertise in recovering and identifying remains.