PCG divers prep for retrieval of missing 'sabungeros' in Taal Lake

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is preparing for a potentially unprecedented underwater retrieval operation in Taal Lake in Batangas, where the remains of missing “sabungeros” or cockfighters are allegedly buried.

Although the PCG has not yet received a formal request from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the agency has already mobilized a team of technical divers.

“As of now, wala pa kaming narereceive na formal request, pero upon issuance of the statement ni Secretary Remulla that time, nagdeploy na ang PCG District Southern Tagalog ng ating mga tao to conduct the seaborne patrol operations. Nakastandby na rin ang ating technical divers in case na kakailanganin na magstart na ang operations,” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab said in an interview with reporters at the PCG Headquarters in Manila on Wednesday.

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According to Guirao-Cayabyab, the operation would be the first of its kind in Taal Lake, noting both the depth and breadth of the lake as major challenges.

“Ang nakikita naming magiging challenge is yung lalim at lapad ng Taal Lake. We have 174 meters in depth. Although may experience ang ating technical divers, per history ng kanilang operations, they just dived hanggang 100 meters in depth,” the official noted.

“This would be the first time [na magkakaroon ng retrieval ng bodies sa Taal Lake]. May previous incidents na tayo na dineploy ang ating technical divers, pero ang challenge dito ay medyo matagal na eh, compared noon na after ng release ng reports, nagpadala na agad ng divers natin. This would be a challenging deployment.”

She also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration.

“We would take this opportunity na magkaroon ng coordination with the Philippine Navy,” she said.

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Despite the challenges, Guirao-Cayabyab assured the public that the PCG has the necessary equipment and that technical divers are ready should the DOJ give the go-ahead for the operation.

“We can’t say [what to expect] in the meantime. Depende iyon sa ibibigay sa atin na instruction ng Department of Justice, kung anong evidence ang kailangang hanapin sa operation,” Guirao-Cayabyab said.

Currently, 60 PCG technical divers are on standby.