The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday resumed its diving operation in Taal Lake, Batangas, in search of human remains as part of efforts to shed light on the “missing sabungeros,” following the discovery of a sack containing still unidentified bones in the area on Thursday.
“Nag-start na po (It already started),” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab said in a message.
According to Cayabyab, the search and retrieval operations will begin in the designated locations within the lake.
“Meron nang ginawang search plan ang ating mga technical divers. So, meron silang search pattern ng 100 meters by 100 meters (Our technical divers already made a search plan. They have a search pattern of 100 meters by 100 meters),” Cayabyab said.
“From the identified location na ibinigay sa atin ng lead agency, doon tututok ang ating mga technical divers. It can be a seaward or leeward so, posibleng from the shoreline to the possible area ang magiging diving operation po natin,” she added.
The PCG conducted a site assessment on Thursday ahead of the search.
Cayabyab said the water in the area is notably murky.
Authorities also looked into the “fishpond lease” of one of the suspects in the investigation, which is considered the “ground zero” of the search operation.
A sack of bones was recovered along the shore of Taal Lake in Laurel town.
The bones were found near the spot where whistleblower and co-accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alleged the missing sabungeros were brought before being dumped into the lake.
The bones will undergo forensic examination to determine whether the remains belong to humans.
DNA testing will also be conducted to determine if there is a match with any of the families of the missing sabungeros.
”This discovery could represent a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation. While we proceed with caution and diligence, it offers renewed hope that we are closer to uncovering the truth and securing justice for the families of the missing,” the DOJ said in a statement on Thursday.
Among the challenges the search teams may encounter are adverse weather conditions, strong currents, and the ongoing low-level unrest of Taal Volcano.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating an abnormal condition.
This does not mean the volcano’s unrest or the threat of an eruption has ended.
At Alert Level 1, possible hazards include sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and dangerous accumulations or emissions of volcanic gas.
A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022.
Police suspect they were kidnapped due to involvement in match fixing or cheating in cockfighting games.
