Bones of missing sabungeros can still be recovered from Taal if bodies really dumped there: DOST

MANILA — The bones of missing cockfight enthusiasts may still be recovered in Taal Lake if their bodies were really dumped there, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Saturday. 

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan – also known by the alias “Totoy” – said the bodies of the missing individuals had been submerged in Taal Lake.

Located about two hours south of Metro Manila, Taal Lake is home to an active island volcano and spans more than 230 square kilometers. It is as deep as 564 feet in some places.

"Ang buto hindi made-decompose. Yung buto walang pakialam ang decomposition doon, ang laman ang nabubulok lang,” said Science Secretary Renato Solidum in a Saturday news forum in Quezon  City.

(Bone doesn't decompose, only flesh does)

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The rate of the bodies' decomposition would also depend on their location in the lake, the official said, as its oxygen levels would depend on the water’s depth and the presence of oxygen.

"Pag wala nang oxygen hindi na yan made-decompose, mape-preserve so depende ‘yan sa lokasyon,” he added.

(If there is no more oxygen, organic matter will not decompose. It will be preserved. It depends on the location)

Solidum said the DOST is willing to lend equipment to technical divers in recovering the remains of the missing individuals.

The environment in the lake and the location of the bodies, however, would pose a challenge to the retrieval operations since water in Taal Lake could be murky.

He suggested using a camera to look for the bodies instead of sending divers to comb the lake's floor.

“Yun ang mas madali kaysa mag-dive. Ang diving hindi safe. Hindi natin alam ang lalim eh,” he said.

(That is easier than diving because diving is not safe. We don't know how deep they will have to go)

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Patidongan earlier said many of the victims were brought to Talisay, Batangas, near Taal Lake, where he believed they were tortured and killed.

But he admitted he did not witness the killings himself but claimed to have seen videos of the victims being strangled before his phone was confiscated and burned to erase evidence.

He has identified Charlie Ang, a man involved in livestreamed cockfighting operations, as the mastermind behind the disappearances.

Ang has in turn accused him and Alan Bantiles, another whistleblower, of trying to extort money from him. He filed criminal complaints against the two earlier this week.