The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) brushed aside allegations suggesting that the sacks of bones recovered from Taal Lake were “planted” in connection with the search for the long-lost cockfighting players, popularly called the “missing sabungeros.”
In a statement, PCG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said such online rumor mongering is an insult to the technical divers who are putting their lives on the line searching the lake’s murky depths.
“We pour our heart and mind into this. Every time we conduct a dive, half of the diver’s body is exposed to danger. This is no joke, and what we’re doing should not be taken lightly or reduced to mere speculation,” he said.
The PCG officer explained that the ongoing search and retrieval operations require massive efforts, involving underwater personnel and forensic experts who carefully examine every piece of fragile evidence they find.
“What we are finding here entails DNA [testing], which is why the forensic team and SOCO [Scene of the Crime Operatives] are here. If we find bones there… [we] subject them to a DNA test for the missing,” he said.
Presently, five sacks containing suspected bones, burnt parts of bones, and stones have so far been recovered by PCG divers from the bottom of the lake.
The sacks were placed close together, only about 20 meters apart, as seen in an underwater video of the operation, shown to the public as part of transparency.
Tuvilla also noted the recovered sacks contained stones and other solid objects, apparently intended to weigh them down.
When the divers attempted to lift them, the sacks tore due to their already damaged condition, he noted.
Earlier, PCG Spokesperson Capt. Noemi Cayabyab, the ongoing search and retrieval operation is part of a legitimate and formal investigation, based on information disclosed by whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan.
PCG personnel must dive as deep as 198 meters in poor visibility, or equivalent to a 60-story building, to recover the sacks of evidence, she added.
As this developed, Taal Lake fishermen are calling for government support to support their income as the demand for fish continues to dwindle.
The Taal Lake Aquacultural Alliance Inc. (TLAAI) is appealing to the national government to expedite the search in the lake to prevent unnecessary fear among consumers.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard, TLAAI spokesperson Mario Balazon stressed that the mistaken belief that fish in the lake have been consuming cadavers is causing demand for tilapia and bangus (milkfish) to plummet despite robust supply.
“Our products are certified by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) such that it is safe to eat,” he said.
Balazon explained that the lake has a water area of 24,000 hectares, but only 2% or 400 hectares is used for aquaculture.
The area subject to the search is less than 10 hectares, but all areas are seen just the same because of the issue, he added.
In a separate interview, fishermen in Cuenca town are appealing for immediate government assistance due to a drop in sales of fish products.
“We have been affected as people are skeptical about the fish we catch, like tawilis, bangus, and tilapia… The current market is weak, our income has suddenly dropped, that is why we are calling on the government to support us in some way,” Arnel Umali told Manila Standard in Filipino.
He cited that previously, they could sell over 100 kilos of tawilis a day, but since the issue broke, they can hardly sell 20 kilos.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Tanim sako? PCG bucks lies amid search for ‘sabungeros’”
