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Taal Lake search yields a sack of bones -- DOJ

Philippines | National

Taal Lake search yields a sack of bones -- DOJ

By Jeffrey Damicog

A white sack containing what appeared to be burned human bones has been recovered by authorities in the vicinity of Taal Lake in Batangas, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday evening, July 10.

In a statement, the DOJ said the recovery represents a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation on the case of “missing sabungeros,” cockfighting enthusiasts.

It said investigators will proceed with caution and diligence as it expressed hopes that the probe will be closer to uncovering the truth and securing justice for the families of the victims.

The contents of the sack, the DOJ said, will be subjected to forensic examinations to determine if they are human bones.

It also said that DNA test or genetic testing will also be conducted to determine if there is a match with any of the families of the missing individuals.

The DOJ led authorities in conducting search operations in Taal Lake on Thursday based on information that bodies of a number of “missing sabungeros” were dumped into Taal Lake.

It was during the operations that a team from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), retrieved a white sack.

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