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People urged to remain calm over Taal Volcano

Philippines | Luzon

People urged to remain calm over Taal Volcano

Search for missing 'sabungeros' in Taal Lake starts

By Danny Estacio

TAAL VOLCANO (FB)

TAAL VOLCANO (FB)

BATANGAS CITY – The Office of Civil Defense-Calabarzon and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council headed by Director Carlos Eduardo E. Alvarez III advised communities to remain vigilant, calm, and pay attention to reports from authorities on Taal Volcano.

Alvarez said no major magmatic eruption is expected amid the recent seismic energy release of the volcano.

Only a minor phreatic eruption or "pusngat" is possible, as Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 1.

Alvarez issued the reminder as authorities have started searching for the bodies of 34 missing “sabungeros” or cockfight afficionados in Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), together with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (CIDG), Intelligence Group (IG), and Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), are conducting the operation.

Authorities intially searched a fishpond identified by whistleblower Julie Patidongan as the alleged dumpsite.

Investigation said there is a possibility that the bodies of the sabungeros were dumped at the lake after they were abducted and killed.

Briefings will be conducted by agencies involved in the operation.

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