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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Search and retrieval for missing sabungeros' remains at Taal Lake begins

Search and retrieval for missing sabungeros' remains at Taal Lake begins

Published Jul 10, 2025 01:03 pm
An inter-agency search and retrieval operation is conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Department of Justice (DOJ) at the Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas on July 10, 2025 to locate the remains of 34 missing sabungeros believed to have been killed and dumped in the lake. (Santi San Juan / MANILA BULLETIN)
An inter-agency search and retrieval operation is conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Department of Justice (DOJ) at the Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas on July 10, 2025 to locate the remains of 34 missing sabungeros believed to have been killed and dumped in the lake. (Santi San Juan / MANILA BULLETIN)
(UPDATED)
Authorities finally began the search and retrieval operation for the remains of the 34 missing cockfighters (sabungeros) believed to have been killed and dumped at Taal Lake in Batangas on Thursday, July 10.
The initial search at 10 a.m. was jointly conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The ground zero was a fishpond area leased by one of the suspects in Talisay, Batangas, and identified by whistleblower Julie “Totoy/Dondon” Patidongan as the alleged dumpsite.
The operation started with sea mapping and site assessment, supported by technical divers from the PCG. A total of 33 technical wreck divers were tapped by the PCG but only 11 of them were initially sent to Taal Lake while others are on standby.
“Nakatanggap na po tayo ng direktiba sa DOJ kahapon at nagsimula na ng environmental assessment ang ating PCG kasama ang PNP at DOJ (We received a directive from the DOJ yesterday, and our PCG, together with the PNP and DOJ, has already begun the environmental assessment),” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said.  
The operation marked the first actual attempt in a search and recovery mission to locate those who have vanished between April 2021 to January 2022 in various cockfighting arenas and the victims’ homes in Laguna, Batangas, Manila, and Bulacan.
However, the mission is faced with numerous challenges. First, Taal Lake spans 234 square kilometers and has a depth of 198 meters so finding human remains is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
That’s precisely where the technical capabilities of the PCG would be tested.
Cayabyab said that aside from deploying divers, the PCG will also use advanced equipment to aid the operation.
“Ngayon po nasa stage na po tayo ng mobilization ng advanced equipment at tutulong ang ating advance technologies (We are now at the stage of mobilizing advanced equipment, and our advanced technologies will be assisting [in the operation]),” she said.
The PCG brought unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or drones from its Coast Guard Fleet and Coast Guard Aviation in the initial search in hopes of making it easier for the divers to locate the remains.
PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan directed Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, to oversee all operational and tactical control, including operational guidance for personnel safety and environmental factors.
At around 1:40 p.m., the PCG announced that the search had been suspended due to bad weather condition and the operation will be continued on Friday "as weather permits".
The PNP-CIDG, on the other hand, is tasked to secure the vicinity of Taal Lake.
PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said police investigators are also doing ocular inspections in other potential burial sites in Laguna and other parts of Batangas.
The operation is expected to be boosted by Philippine Navy divers from the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM).
The PN will mobilize three teams of NAVSOCOM divers, each comprised of four Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) who are capable of diving up to 94 meters below sea level, nearly half of the total depth of Taal Lake.

Related Tags

PCG PNP-CIDG DOJ Taal Lake missing sabungeros Batangas
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