More sacks were recovered at the Taal Lake in the missing “sabungeros” case

• Philippine Coast Guard divers have retrieved additional sacks from Taal Lake, intensifying the search for missing "sabungeros" (cockfight enthusiasts) who disappeared between 2021 and 2022

• The contents of the newly found sacks are currently unknown, though a previous discovery included bones, with authorities working to determine if they are human or animal. The DOJ and NBI are closely monitoring the retrieval operations

• The renewed search was spurred by a whistleblower's claim that the missing sabungeros were abducted, killed, and their weighted bodies disposed of in Taal Lake

• Should human remains be confirmed, the Department of Justice plans immediate DNA testing to match samples with relatives of the missing individuals, with some families already providing DNA

Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have recovered additional sacks from the depths of Taal Lake, intensifying the ongoing search for the remains of individuals believed to be among the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight enthusiasts) who disappeared in 2021 and 2022.

The contents of these newly discovered sacks remain unknown, as confirmed by Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ), in a statement on Friday.

The latest retrieval follows the discovery of another sack containing bones just one day prior. Authorities are working to determine whether these bones are human or animal in origin.

The renewed diving operations in Taal Lake were prompted by revelations from whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, who alleged that the missing sabungeros were abducted, killed, and their bodies, weighted with sand, were subsequently disposed of in the lake.

"Parang nasa lake bed sila, without really having good visibility at least meron silang na-feel sa baba [nakakapa]. At doon nila nahanap itong mga sakong ito," Clavano explained, detailing the challenging conditions faced by the divers.

He emphasized that prosecutors and agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are closely monitoring the retrieval efforts, highlighting the significance of these findings to the ongoing investigation into the disappearances.

Clavano cautioned against prematurely drawing conclusions about the contents of the sacks. "We still don’t know what the contents of those sacks are. Very possible din po na ang laman noon ay hindi buto, but we are hoping for the best. Of course, ayaw natin i-sobrang taas yung expectations natin but the PCG is doing their very best," he stated.

He also mentioned the possibility of deploying remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to aid the PCG's search efforts in the vast and deep lake.

Should the recovered sacks confirm the presence of human remains, the DOJ has outlined plans for immediate DNA testing.

This crucial step aims to match any retrieved DNA samples with those provided by the relatives of the missing sabungeros.

"The DNA matching is actually underway. Kumbaga ang gagawin po natin, kukunan natin ng DNA samples ang mga kamag anak ng mga nawawala at ima-match ho natin ‘yan sa mga DNA na makikita natin sa mahanap natin kung sakali."

He also noted that some families of the missing individuals had already submitted to DNA testing at Taal Lake on Thursday.

The search operations underscore the government's commitment to resolving the long-standing case of the vanished sabungeros, which has deeply concerned their families and the public.

Authorities continue to urge patience as they meticulously work to uncover the truth hidden beneath the waters of Taal Lake.

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.

In other news, Cherrylyn Larga Gonzaga, known as content creator Cherry White, has received a 90-day preventive driver's license suspension from the LTO for irresponsible driving. The suspension stems from a widely circulated video depicting Gonzaga driving with one leg raised onto the driver's seat, appearing disengaged from proper vehicle operation and raising road safety concerns. Gonzaga has been issued a Show Cause Order, requiring her to explain her actions at the LTO Central Office on July 16, 2025, and surrender her license to begin the suspension period. Both the DOTr and LTO reaffirmed their commitment to strict enforcement against irresponsible driving, aligning with the President's directive for safer roads, especially given the content creator's public influence.

Still in other news, a man has been apprehended in Rodriguez, Rizal, for allegedly breaking into a local convenience store and stealing over P5,000 worth of cigarettes and chocolates. The alleged thief gained entry by breaching the store's ceiling, and CCTV footage played a vital role in identifying and tracking the suspect, leading to his arrest. Despite the suspect's denial, police confirmed he has previous complaints for theft lodged at the barangay level, indicating a history of similar alleged offenses. The apprehended individual is now formally facing charges of robbery, with authorities having recovered some of the stolen merchandise.

Source: KAMI.com.gh