Sacks of bones found in Taal Lake weighed down with rocks — PCG
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Sacks of bones found in Taal Lake weighed down with rocks — PCG
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing 'sabungeros.' Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing 'sabungeros.' Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Bones were not the only items found inside the sacks that Philippine Coast Guard divers retrieved from the bottom of Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas.
MANILA — Bones were not the only items found inside the sacks that Philippine Coast Guard divers retrieved from the bottom of Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas.
In a press briefing, Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of PCG Southern Tagalog District, said the sacks recovered by technical divers during a dive on Saturday also contained rocks that were likely put there to keep the sacks from floating to the surface.
In a press briefing, Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of PCG Southern Tagalog District, said the sacks recovered by technical divers during a dive on Saturday also contained rocks that were likely put there to keep the sacks from floating to the surface.
“Itong nakuha natin may sort of sinker, may pabigat,” said Tuvilla.
“Itong nakuha natin may sort of sinker, may pabigat,” said Tuvilla.
(The sacks we found had a sort of sinker, to weigh them down)
(The sacks we found had a sort of sinker, to weigh them down)
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This supports the earlier statement of witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as alias Totoy, who claimed that the bodies of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts were placed inside sacks weighed down with rocks before being dumped into the lake.
This supports the earlier statement of witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as alias Totoy, who claimed that the bodies of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts were placed inside sacks weighed down with rocks before being dumped into the lake.
According to Tuvilla, the rocks may have caused the damage to the sacks that were found partially buried in the sand by the technical divers.
According to Tuvilla, the rocks may have caused the damage to the sacks that were found partially buried in the sand by the technical divers.
“We don’t know what kind or types of rocks or stones were placed para sa sinkers, we cannot say much about that and again investigation side na ang magde-determine,” Tuvilla added.
“We don’t know what kind or types of rocks or stones were placed para sa sinkers, we cannot say much about that and again investigation side na ang magde-determine,” Tuvilla added.
(We don't know what types of rocks were used, we will leave that up to the investigators)
(We don't know what types of rocks were used, we will leave that up to the investigators)
LOW VISIBILITY UNDERWATER
Underwater footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the difficult conditions at the bottom of the lake.
Underwater footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the difficult conditions at the bottom of the lake.
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Poor visibility is one of the biggest challenges technical divers face.
Poor visibility is one of the biggest challenges technical divers face.
They had to use flashlights to search for the sacks believed to contain the remains of the missing individuals.
They had to use flashlights to search for the sacks believed to contain the remains of the missing individuals.
The video also showed some of the sacks partially buried in the lakebed.
The video also showed some of the sacks partially buried in the lakebed.
“Limited ang search pattern natin kasi nag-iiba talaga 'yung description, characteristics ng tubig kahapon. Before entry OK pa 'yung visibility. Upon reaching the bottom, 1 meter na lang 'yung makikita mo na kaya mo ma-distinguish, poor talaga visibility,” Tuvilla said.
“Limited ang search pattern natin kasi nag-iiba talaga 'yung description, characteristics ng tubig kahapon. Before entry OK pa 'yung visibility. Upon reaching the bottom, 1 meter na lang 'yung makikita mo na kaya mo ma-distinguish, poor talaga visibility,” Tuvilla said.
(We have a limited search pattern because of the changing characteristics of the water. At the bottom, visibility is only 1 meter, so it is hard to distinguish objects)
(We have a limited search pattern because of the changing characteristics of the water. At the bottom, visibility is only 1 meter, so it is hard to distinguish objects)
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The technical divers are operating at depths of 50 to 70 feet in the part of Taal Lake identified by a whistleblower as the area where the victims’ bodies were allegedly dumped.
The technical divers are operating at depths of 50 to 70 feet in the part of Taal Lake identified by a whistleblower as the area where the victims’ bodies were allegedly dumped.
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