Human bones found in Taal in missing sabungeros search: PNP

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.' Divers are focusing on areas identified as possible dumping sites, including a fishpond area dubbed 'ground zero,' based on witness testimonies.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Human bones were recovered from Taal Lake during the search for dozens of sabungeros allegedly murdered by rogue police, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

The bones recovered from Taal were a mix of human and animal remains, PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed. 

“Alam niyo naman may farm sa lugar na yan… Lahat ng nakikita natin, may animal remains, may mga human at mixed-mixed na ang ating tinitingnan,” Torre said. 

“We’re currently examining all the recovered bones. Part of the process is to determine whether they are of animal or human origin,” he added.

A total of five sacks containing suspected human bones have been recovered from Taal Lake since Thursday.

The retrieved remains have been transported to the forensic group for cross-matching with the DNA samples provided by the sabungeros' kin, said Torre. 

So far, 12 family members have provided their DNA profile, out of the 34 reported missing cockfighters, according to PNP Spokesperson Brig. General Jean Fajardo.

As many as 100 people were murdered over their alleged involvement in match-fixing, killed by police moonlighting for an online cockfight operator, according to witness Julie "Dondon" Patidongan.

Fajardo called on the relatives of undocumented victims to provide the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group with their DNA samples, to be cross-matched with the retrieved remains. 

“We are not closing our doors, if there are kins po of possible victims, open po ang CIDG para kuhanan po sila ng DNA specimen,” she said.

If the remains match a sabungero's relative, Fajardo said: "This will prove our earlier assumptions na talagang pinatay na talaga."

Search for sabungeros Day 4: 5 sacks found, PCG to use underwater remote vehicle

3 COPS DIMISSED, 12  UNDER RESTRICTIVE CUSTODY

Fajardo confirmed that three police officers have been dismissed from their posts due to their alleged involvement with the sabungeros' disappearance, including a lieutenant.

Meanwhile, 12 others were under restrictive custody in Camp Crame. 

Patidongan on Monday filed administrative complaints against several policemen allegedly involved in the killings. 

Whistleblower claims cops got over P2-M monthly from Ang’s camp in missing sabungero case

LAKE SEARCH STRENGTHENS POSSIBLE MURDER CASES

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said the discovery of human bones in Taal further strengthens the resolve of the government to file additional murder cases in court in connection with the search for the missing sabungeros.

Remulla earlier said government lawyers were evaluating the possibility of filing murder and violation of international humanitarian law cases in court. 

The possible  murder cases will be on top of the kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases already pending in courts in Manila and Laguna.

“Tumitibay naman, tumitibay naman at talagang hindi lang ganon kadali, iyong panahon pa ngayon, saka nakita niyo naman iyong nakuhang video malabo ang tubig hindi ganon kadali maghanap,” Remulla said.

Patidongan had also tagged businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in the case of the missing sabungeros.

While Ang and Barretto had both denied involvement in the case, Remulla said the two would be included as suspects in the ongoing case build-up.

But Remulla advised the public not to expect results from the Taal Lake search overnight.

“Nagiging malinaw iyong legal aspects na kinakailangang i-clarify within our ranks kasi nga may sequence na logical flow na sinusunod, hindi pwedeng bara-bara,” he said.

Remulla also downplayed allegations of “tanim-buto” or planting evidence of human remains in Taal Lake where Philippine Coast Guard divers are conducting their search.

“Kalokohan iyan, this country is full of politics and troll farms, that they always want to spoil whatever good deeds that we can do as a country,” he said. 

'Sacks of sabungero bones' planted? PCG reacts

Remulla added that certain policemen involved in the drug war were also involved in e-sabong.

“May mga taong parehong involved sa pagpatay sa drug war at sa e-sabong, that’s as far as we can cite now but we have to establish clearer links to each other,” the official said.

Remulla also noted that Taal Lake has become the go-to place for disposal of human remains, saying: "Mukhang nakasanayan nang magtapon talaga roon, it has already become a place to dispose of human remains."

He said that forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun would be on-board in the missing sabungeros case.

“She will be there, she has always been cooperative with the DOJ, she has always been receptive to our requests here,” Remulla said.

— With a report from Agence France-Presse 

RELATED VIDEO: