DOJ: Bones found in Taal Lake to undergo DNA testing
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DOJ: Bones found in Taal Lake to undergo DNA testing
Published Jul 10, 2025 08:29 PM PHT
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Updated Jul 11, 2025 01:10 AM PHT
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard begin an initial dive at a fishpen in Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas, as part of the ongoing search for the missing sabungero on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard begin an initial dive at a fishpen in Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas, as part of the ongoing search for the missing sabungero on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News(UPDATED) The Department of Justice on THursday confirmed the retrieval of a sack containing what appears to be burnt human bones in Taal Lake during the initial search for the missing cockfight enthusiasts.
(UPDATED) The Department of Justice on THursday confirmed the retrieval of a sack containing what appears to be burnt human bones in Taal Lake during the initial search for the missing cockfight enthusiasts.
In a statement, the DOJ said the remains were visibly identified and recovered from the lake bed.
In a statement, the DOJ said the remains were visibly identified and recovered from the lake bed.
“This discovery could represent a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation,” the DOJ said.
“This discovery could represent a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ emphasized that the operations was supposedly a “technical site assessment” by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The DOJ emphasized that the operations was supposedly a “technical site assessment” by the Philippine Coast Guard.
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But with the discovery, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or the National Bureau of Investigation will have to certify if the remains are indeed from a human being.
But with the discovery, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or the National Bureau of Investigation will have to certify if the remains are indeed from a human being.
DNA testing will also be conducted to determine if there is a match with any of the families of the missing individuals.
DNA testing will also be conducted to determine if there is a match with any of the families of the missing individuals.
“While we proceed with caution and diligence, it offers renewed hope that we are closer to uncovering the truth and securing justice for the families of the missing,” the DOJ said.
“While we proceed with caution and diligence, it offers renewed hope that we are closer to uncovering the truth and securing justice for the families of the missing,” the DOJ said.
"It was only a few meters from the shore. A CIDG team that was stationed on the lake shore, acting on information on where the possible jump-off point was, found the white sack not far from the shore. The DOJ and PCG teams were about 100 meters out and used a smaller boat to reach the shore to see what they had found."
"It was only a few meters from the shore. A CIDG team that was stationed on the lake shore, acting on information on where the possible jump-off point was, found the white sack not far from the shore. The DOJ and PCG teams were about 100 meters out and used a smaller boat to reach the shore to see what they had found."
"The team decided to verify first whether it was human bones or not before releasing info. When CIDG made the determination, that was when we were comfortable to release the information," the DOJ said.
"The team decided to verify first whether it was human bones or not before releasing info. When CIDG made the determination, that was when we were comfortable to release the information," the DOJ said.
Authorities recovered the sack during the retrieval operations for the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts (sabungero) allegedly dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas. Police Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo, provincial director of the Batangas police, told ABS-CBN News the sack was discovered about 10 meters from the shoreline.
Authorities recovered the sack during the retrieval operations for the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts (sabungero) allegedly dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas. Police Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo, provincial director of the Batangas police, told ABS-CBN News the sack was discovered about 10 meters from the shoreline.
Julie Patidongan, one of the accused and a potential whistleblower in the case, earlier told media that over 100 victims were executed and dumped in the lake over suspicions of cheating in cockfight games. They were killed for allegedly cheating in multimillion-peso online sabong operations, Patidongan claimed. The DOJ has identified businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as suspects in the case following the whistleblower's revelations. They both strongly denied any links to the disappearance of the cockfight gamers.
Julie Patidongan, one of the accused and a potential whistleblower in the case, earlier told media that over 100 victims were executed and dumped in the lake over suspicions of cheating in cockfight games. They were killed for allegedly cheating in multimillion-peso online sabong operations, Patidongan claimed. The DOJ has identified businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as suspects in the case following the whistleblower's revelations. They both strongly denied any links to the disappearance of the cockfight gamers.
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