WATCH: PCG underwater video footage of their search and retrieval ops in Taal Lake for the missing sabungeros

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday has released underwater video footage of their search and retrieval operation in Taal Lake for the missing sabungeros.  

The Philippine Coast Guard has released underwater video footage of their search and retrieval operation in Taal Lake for the missing sabungeros.
The PCG says murky water, strong underwater currents, and the depth of the lake are among the challenges faced by their divers. pic.twitter.com/WGKCluC65J

— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) July 13, 2025

The PCG says murky water, strong underwater currents, and the depth of the lake are among the challenges faced by their divers.

The Coast Guard on Sunday said the sacks it retrieved from Taal Lake as part of the search for the missing sabungeros that contain what appeared to be bones were not planted as alleged by some critics. 
 
At least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros went missing from various areas of Luzon between April 2021 and January 2022. The disappearances occurred in Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Rizal and Manila. At least one sabungero was confirmed to have been kidnapped from his home.

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias Totoy said police officers are among those responsible for abducting and killing the missing sabungeros, while tagging businessman Atong Ang and celebrity Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances.

On Saturday, PCG divers recovered two sacks from Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas as they continued the search for missing sabungeros allegedly buried in the area.

According to the Department of Justice, the remains recovered from the Taal Lake amid the search for missing sabungeros will undergo DNA testing to determine whether they came from humans and if they were those of some of the disappeared cockfighters. —RF, GMA Integrated News