PCG divers to search bottom of Taal Lake in the hopes of finding leads to the missing “sabungeros”

• The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is preparing to send specialized technical divers to Taal Lake in Batangas to search for the bodies of missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts)

• This significant operation was requested by the Department of Justice (DOJ) after an accused individual, “Totoy,” claimed in a media interview that the missing cockfighters are dead with their bodies buried in the lake

• PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered the elite Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF) to coordinate with the DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine Navy (PN) for the strategic deployment

• The PCG’s highly trained divers will face difficult conditions in Taal Lake, including potentially low visibility and uneven terrain, as they work to verify the new information as part of the ongoing case build-up

In a critical development in the long-unresolved case of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has announced its readiness to deploy specialized technical divers to Taal Lake in Batangas.

This significant move comes in response to a formal request from the Department of Justice (DOJ), following startling revelations by one of the accused in the disappearance of the cockfighters.

The individual, identified in previous reports only by the alias “Totoy,” claimed in a recent media interview that the missing cockfighters are deceased and their bodies are interred within the depths of Taal Lake.

These disappearances, which have remained a perplexing mystery for over three years, occurred between April 2021 and January 2022, primarily involving individuals who vanished after attending cockfights in various arenas or from their homes in regions including Laguna, Batangas, Manila, and Bulacan.

The alleged scale of these killings, as claimed by the suspect, is far greater than the 34 individuals officially reported missing by the Philippine National Police (PNP), with “Totoy” asserting that as many as 100 cockfighters could have been killed.

He has also indicated his intention to submit a sworn affidavit detailing his knowledge to authorities.

Responding to the gravity of these claims, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla underscored the necessity of deploying expert divers from agencies like the PCG and the Philippine Navy (PN) to verify the veracity of the suspect’s information.

Subsequently, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has issued a direct order to the Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF), the elite unit known for its specialized underwater search and recovery capabilities.

The CGSOF has been tasked with coordinating closely with the DOJ, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine Navy to facilitate the immediate and strategic deployment of their technical divers to the identified vicinity waters of Taal Lake.

The challenges of an underwater search in Taal Lake are considerable. Lakes often present unique complexities for diving operations, including potentially low visibility, varying water currents, and uneven or challenging underwater terrain.

The PCG’s elite divers are specifically trained to navigate such difficult conditions, equipped with the expertise required for complex search and recovery missions in diverse aquatic environments.

PCG Commandant Gavan affirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to assisting in the pursuit of justice.

“If the DOJ needs the expertise of our men and women to confirm or reject this piece of information as part of the case build-up, we will be there,” Admiral Gavan stated, emphasizing the PCG's dedication to lending its specialized capabilities to critical law enforcement investigations.

This inter-agency collaboration marks a crucial new phase in the cold case, aiming to bring clarity and potential closure to the families who have long endured uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones.

The impending dive operations in Taal Lake represent a determined effort by authorities to unearth the truth behind the mysterious disappearances.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

It can be recalled that “Totoy” revealed that online sabong master agent Ricardo "Jon-jon" Lasco was killed and dumped into Taal Lake, tied to a sack of sand. Totoy claimed Lasco was abducted from his Laguna home in 2021 after allegedly profiting from an unauthorized cockfight broadcast. Over ₱2 million was allegedly paid for Lasco's abduction and murder, which Totoy said was carried out by policemen. A video allegedly showing Lasco before his death was shared, and his family has called on authorities to protect witnesses and search the Taal Lake for more possible victims.

In other news, three dead fetuses were found inside a blue plastic container in Liloan, Cebu. According to the report of Brigada News PH, a classifier of recyclable plastic was the one who discovered the 3 fetuses while sorting. The plastic comes from different provinces, not only in Cebu but also from Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros. All three fetuses were fully developed and even had wrist bands, but there was no indication of a name or from what hospital the fetuses were from.

Source: KAMI.com.gh