No DNA match found in Batangas cadavers for missing sabungeros
• The DNA from three cadavers exhumed in a Batangas cemetery does not match samples from the families of 23 missing sabungeros
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• The exhumed remains, which included two males and one female, were believed to have been buried three years ago and had gunshot wounds
• The Philippine National Police (PNP) is urging other families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts to provide DNA samples to help with identification
• No DNA profiles were successfully extracted from bones found in Taal Lake due to contamination, adding another challenge to the investigation
In a disappointing turn for the families of missing sabungeros, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that DNA profiles from three cadavers exhumed from a Laurel, Batangas cemetery do not match any of the 23 samples provided by their relatives.
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This development marks a setback in the ongoing and complex investigation into the disappearance of dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts from 2021 to 2022.
During a press briefing on Thursday, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo confirmed the non-match, stating that while three DNA profiles were successfully extracted from the exhumed remains, they did not correspond to any of the samples submitted by the families.
Fajardo specified that the remains consisted of two males and one female. The bodies, according to a local gravedigger, were interred in mid-July about three years ago after being found unidentified and severely decomposed.
The gravedigger also noted that the victims appeared to be casualties of an extrajudicial killing, as their bodies showed signs of gunshot wounds.
This latest finding adds another layer of mystery to the case, which has already been plagued by challenges.
Police revealed that previous searches for human remains in Taal Lake, prompted by a whistleblower's testimony, were unsuccessful in yielding viable DNA.
The bones recovered from the lake were too degraded and contaminated by prolonged exposure to water to allow for a DNA profile to be extracted, effectively hitting a dead end in that line of inquiry.
The PNP is now urging other families of the missing sabungeros to come forward and provide DNA samples.
Fajardo made a public appeal, hoping to reach relatives who have not yet participated in the forensic examination.
She emphasized that any details, even about the victims' clothing or personal effects found with the remains, could be crucial for identification.
"We are asking for the help of the public," Fajardo stated, "to bring us closer to a resolution and provide some closure to the grieving families."
The case of the missing sabungeros remains a high-profile and deeply unsettling saga in the country. Official police reports cite 34 individuals who vanished between 2021 and 2022.
However, a whistleblower in the case, identified as Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, has alleged that the number of victims is significantly higher, claiming that over 100 sabungeros were killed and their bodies disposed of in Taal Lake.
The failure to match the DNA from the Batangas cemetery underscores the difficulty of the ongoing investigation, but police remain hopeful that new samples could still lead to a breakthrough.
The PNP's continued call to action highlights the critical role of family participation in helping to identify the remains and finally bring some answers to those who have been waiting for years.
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 stories.
In other news, a 60-year-old former teacher, Alfredo dela Cruz, was fatally shot in the head while at a gas station in Bayambang, Pangasinan. The shooting stemmed from a long-standing right-of-way dispute with his neighbor, the alleged assailant. The suspect, who fled the scene, was identified via CCTV and later arrested in Sual; he reportedly has a history of other criminal cases. Police confirmed the victim had previously filed a barangay complaint against the suspect for blocking their shared pathway.
Still in other news, a 39-year-old man sustained severe head injuries after being attacked by his 21-year-old drinking companion in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.The assault occurred after the victim reportedly advised the suspect against causing trouble while intoxicated. The suspect allegedly left, retrieved a bolo or machete, and returned to hack the victim in the head. The victim is hospitalized and recovering, while police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing assailant.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
