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

Philippine Coast Guard technical divers are set to resume Monday retrieval operations for the remains of missing cockfighting enthusiasts who were allegedly killed and then dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.

Since Friday, July 11, 2025, PCG divers have turned over 5 sacks containing suspicious objects for forensic examination.

The PCG said it will also use for the first time remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for the search.

Navy spokesman Capt. John Percy Alcos earlier said underwater drones are needed for dives that will exceed 100 meters. The Navy is sending 3 teams of technical divers - each team composed of 4 Navy Seals, 2 divers, a standby diver and a diving supervisor - for the retrieval operations.

A whistleblower earlier claimed more than 100 people were killed by police officers and their bodies dumped in the lake for allegedly cheating in multimillion-peso online sabong operations.

The Department of Justice has identified businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as suspects in the case following the whistleblower's revelations.

LIVELIHOOD AFFECTED

Meanwhile, reports that human remains were being dumped in Taal Lake have affected livelihoods of fishermen in the area.

Demand for fish from Taal dwindles as divers search for sabungeros remains

Fisherman Rodel Sangalang said sales of fish have dropped since the PCG started retrieval operations last week.

“Nangingimi silang kumain ng isda namin dahil sa nabalitang yan,” he said in a DZMM interview.

He urged the public to continue buying their fish, saying their catch comes from fish cages.

“May kulungan kami na ang size ay 10x10 meters, dun lang silang umiikot. One hundred percent malinis yung isda namin dahil nakakulong lang sila. Feeds lang ang kinakain nila,” he said.