Bones found in Taal Lake may still be identified if among 'missing sabungeros': Forensic pathologist
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Bones found in Taal Lake may still be identified if among 'missing sabungeros': Forensic pathologist
Published Jul 11, 2025 09:31 AM PHT
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Updated Jul 11, 2025 04:14 PM 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 NewsMANILA (UPDATED) — The bones found in the Taal Lake may be used to determine whether or not those belong to the missing cockfighters or "sabungeros" allegedly dumped in the area, said forensic pathologist Maria Cecilia Lim on Friday.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The bones found in the Taal Lake may be used to determine whether or not those belong to the missing cockfighters or "sabungeros" allegedly dumped in the area, said forensic pathologist Maria Cecilia Lim on Friday.
The expert noted that the remains dumped were likely all bones now due to the lake's acidity, but could still be used to identify the remains in three ways.
The expert noted that the remains dumped were likely all bones now due to the lake's acidity, but could still be used to identify the remains in three ways.
Lim said the bones may first be reconstructed to determine how many individuals have been found.
Lim said the bones may first be reconstructed to determine how many individuals have been found.
“Kung tatlo yung bungo, most likely tatlo yung tao,” Lim told DZMM Teleradyo.
“Kung tatlo yung bungo, most likely tatlo yung tao,” Lim told DZMM Teleradyo.
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She added that the missing sabungeros’ physical deformities would play a vital role for authorities and experts to immediately determine the identity of the remains.
She added that the missing sabungeros’ physical deformities would play a vital role for authorities and experts to immediately determine the identity of the remains.
This process in itself could last two to four weeks, said the expert. If the first two ways do not yield identification, authorities may opt for the more expensive process of conducting a DNA test.
This process in itself could last two to four weeks, said the expert. If the first two ways do not yield identification, authorities may opt for the more expensive process of conducting a DNA test.
Lim, however, said that this would still depend on whether or not the bones are in the state for a DNA test.
Lim, however, said that this would still depend on whether or not the bones are in the state for a DNA test.
The bones recently found in Taal Lake were said to be burned, which Lim noted, could lower the chances of being identified.
The bones recently found in Taal Lake were said to be burned, which Lim noted, could lower the chances of being identified.
Lim further underscored that the missing cockfighters’ previous medical records may be used as reference to recognize their remains, including dental x-rays and other records.
Lim further underscored that the missing cockfighters’ previous medical records may be used as reference to recognize their remains, including dental x-rays and other records.
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In case the cockfighters’ records are unavailable, the kin may provide their own to match with the retrieved remains.
In case the cockfighters’ records are unavailable, the kin may provide their own to match with the retrieved remains.
Lim reminded the bereaved families to prepare the missing cockfighters’ medical records and personal belongings, like hairbrush, in case DNA testing will be necessary.
Lim reminded the bereaved families to prepare the missing cockfighters’ medical records and personal belongings, like hairbrush, in case DNA testing will be necessary.
SOME FAMILIES GIVE DNA SAMPLES
Authorities have begun collecting DNA samples from the families of missing cockfight enthusiasts to check against the bones already recovered.
Authorities have begun collecting DNA samples from the families of missing cockfight enthusiasts to check against the bones already recovered.
Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano also said it would take between 24 and 48 hours to determine if the bones are human remains. The collection began Wednesday with the families at the site of search operations.
Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano also said it would take between 24 and 48 hours to determine if the bones are human remains. The collection began Wednesday with the families at the site of search operations.
He said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has yet to say who will be tapped to conduct a forensic examination in the bones.
He said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has yet to say who will be tapped to conduct a forensic examination in the bones.
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Clavano added the DOJ had waited for the chief of police of Laurel town to determine that the remains were human bones before making the discovery public.
Clavano added the DOJ had waited for the chief of police of Laurel town to determine that the remains were human bones before making the discovery public.
“Again this is still up for validation, we still have no information on the identity of the person. This will be subjected to DNA test as mentioned already in our statement,” he added.
“Again this is still up for validation, we still have no information on the identity of the person. This will be subjected to DNA test as mentioned already in our statement,” he added.
“The DNA matching is already underway. Ang gagawin natin, kukunan natin ng DNA samples ang mga kamag-anak ng nawawala at ima-match natin yan sa mga DNA na makikita natin sa mga mahahanap natin kung sakali,” he said.
“The DNA matching is already underway. Ang gagawin natin, kukunan natin ng DNA samples ang mga kamag-anak ng nawawala at ima-match natin yan sa mga DNA na makikita natin sa mga mahahanap natin kung sakali,” he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday spotted more sacks at the bottom of Taal Lake but they were not immediately certain of the contents.
The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday spotted more sacks at the bottom of Taal Lake but they were not immediately certain of the contents.
BONES FOUND IN TAAL LAKE
The DOJ on Thursday confirmed that a sack containing bones has been retrieved 10 meters from the shoreline of Taal Lake, during the first day of the search operations for the remains of the missing cockfighters.
The DOJ on Thursday confirmed that a sack containing bones has been retrieved 10 meters from the shoreline of Taal Lake, during the first day of the search operations for the remains of the missing cockfighters.
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The bones are yet to be confirmed if human or animal.
The bones are yet to be confirmed if human or animal.
Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Southern Tagalog said Friday morning that the search operations in Taal Lake continues despite the inclement weather.
Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Southern Tagalog said Friday morning that the search operations in Taal Lake continues despite the inclement weather.
A total of 36 PCG members, divided into six operations, were assigned to search “for anything unusual” within the possible locations where the missing cockfighters were allegedly dumped.
A total of 36 PCG members, divided into six operations, were assigned to search “for anything unusual” within the possible locations where the missing cockfighters were allegedly dumped.
“Meron naman tayong map of search pattern na gagawin natin, so minamarkahan natin iyan. Nagpa-ready rin kami ng mga buya (buoys) doon, na naka-stand by din para sa magma-mark ng anything unusual we will be observing on the bottom,” Tuvilla told DZMM.
“Meron naman tayong map of search pattern na gagawin natin, so minamarkahan natin iyan. Nagpa-ready rin kami ng mga buya (buoys) doon, na naka-stand by din para sa magma-mark ng anything unusual we will be observing on the bottom,” Tuvilla told DZMM.
Last month, whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as alias “Totoy,” revealed that the bodies of more than 100 cockfighters were dumped in the lake, instructed by the alleged mastermind Charlie “Atong” Ang.
Last month, whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as alias “Totoy,” revealed that the bodies of more than 100 cockfighters were dumped in the lake, instructed by the alleged mastermind Charlie “Atong” Ang.
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