Joselito Malig

PNP–Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO) carry a white sack containing a suspected cadaver during the week-long search operations in Laurel, Batangas, on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The retrieval is part of the ongoing investigation into the case of a missing sabungero.

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

MISSING SABUNGEROS- TAAL SEARCH

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

The Department of Justice reported two skulls and other bones and additional pieces of clothing and undergarments from the retrieval operation of the Philippine Coast Guard in Taal Lake in the continuing search for the missing sabungeros. DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano showed the media a series of photos of retrieved bones, hair and other “suspicious items” recovered by PCG divers since July 29.Clavano said teeth were still intact in the retrieved skulls, which can be used to match with dental records of the missing sabungeros, as well as in DNA-matching with the relatives of the victims. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/4/possible-new-human-remains-found-in-taal-lake-1441">Possible new human remains found in Taal Lake </a></div>Clavano also said forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun and the University of the Philippines will be taking over in the DNA analysis part of the investigation. “Kaka-request lang po natin sa UP through the SOJ, if that pushes through then the bones for simplicity sake will all be analyzed now by UP,” Clavano said. Clavano underscored the importance of proving the recovered remains in Taal Lake were those of the missing sabungeros which would further prove the statement of whistleblower Julie Patidongan. “Well in a murder case it’s very helpful to produce the body so if we are able to identify that the person we are looking for and we assume is already dead is exactly this person, mapapalakas po talaga ang kaso natin because we are able to present the body of the victim,” Clavano said. Clavano said the government is in touch with the relatives for the identification of the recovered bones and items. One of the pieces of clothing recovered was a shirt printed with a pink rose.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/1/murder-raps-filed-vs-atong-ang-others-tagged-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1226">Murder raps filed vs Atong Ang, others tagged in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case: kin </a> </div>“If there’s any way they can identify, whether it be through the clothes, which are the easiest to the dentures even to the size of the person if we can identify that in the future, kung gaano katangkad ang tao given the bones and bone densities then that would be very valuable information to us,” Clavano said.<div> </div>Meantime, Clavano said the murder and serious illegal detention complaints filed by the relatives at the DOJ are still in the evaluation stage and has not yet reached the preliminary investigation stage. While relatives have identified businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as respondent in their complaints and DOJ Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said actress Gretchen Barretto is a “person of interest”, Clavano said the DOJ is not officially releasing the names of the respondents. Ang and Barretto have issued denials of involvement in the case after Patidongan tagged them in the killing of the missing sabungeros. “Considering that it is in the evaluation stage, it will be unfair and prejudicial to the case and the people involved if we release names now,” Clavano said.

Clavano said teeth were still intact in the retrieved skulls, which can be used to match with dental records of the missing sabungeros, as well as in DNA-matching with the relatives of the victims.

Clavano said teeth were still intact in the retrieved skulls, which can be used to match with dental records of the missing sabungeros, as well as in DNA-matching with the relatives of the victims.

Missing sabungeros case: More human bones, clothes found in Taal Lake

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Missing sabungeros case: More human bones, clothes found in Taal Lake

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2025 05:20 PM PHT

Read More:

Missing sabungeros

Taal Lake

Human Bones

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