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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ: More human skeletal remains recovered from Taal Lake

DOJ: More human skeletal remains recovered from Taal Lake

Published Nov 25, 2025 03:41 pm
More human skeletal remains have been recovered from Taal Lake in Batangas as law enforcers continued their search for evidence in the cases of the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
DOJ Spokesperson Prosecution Attorney Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said that three pieces of skeletal remains were recovered by the joint team composed of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The recovered pieces of alleged human skeletal remains were turned over to the SOCO (Scene of Crime Operation) team,” Martinez said.
Citing a report submitted to the DOJ, Martinez said the skeletal remains were found inside a black fine net and three sacks recovered from the lake.
The search for the remains was prompted by allegations made by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patindongan that the missing sabungeros were killed and dumped into Taal Lake.
Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 60 co-respondents were charged before the DOJ for their involvement in the disappearance of the sabungeros. Ang has denied the charges filed against him.
The complainants accused the respondents of multiple counts of murder under the Revised Penal Code (RPC); multiple counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under the RPC; violation of Republic Act (RA) 10353, An Act Defining and Penalizing Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance; obstruction of Justice under Presidential Decree No. 1829; violation of RA 11983 or the New Philippine Passport Act; corruption of public officials under the RPC; and violation of RA 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
The charges are still pending with the DOJ.
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