PCG: Sacks found in missing sabungeros search in Taal Lake not planted

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 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.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, PCG spokesperson Captain Noemi Cayabyab said the ongoing diving operations for the search of the missing sabungeros is a legitimate operation and part of a formal investigation.

“Itinatanggi ito ng PCG [na planted lang ang mga nakitang sako sa Taal Lake]. Ang layunin ng bawat diving operations namin ay makapagbigay ng hustisya at katotohanan. Nawa'y mawala ang mga ganitong espekulasyon dahil bawat sisid ng PCG, buhay nila ang nakataya,” Cayabyab said.

(The PCG denies allegations that the sacks found in Taal Lake were planted. The goal of every diving operation we conduct is to provide justice and uncover the truth. We hope such speculation will stop because our PCG team put their lives on the line in every dive.)

According to the Department of Science and Technology, Taal Lake spans 234 square kilometers, which is nine times as large as the City of Manila.

It also has a depth of 198 meters, or the equivalent of a 60-storey building.

Cayabyab noted that one of the challenges that divers face is dealing with the murky and muddy area of Taal Lake.

“Continue po ang diving operations hanggang may na retrieve, Naka-depende rin ang tagal ng diving operation sa weather, current, at alert level ng Taal Volcano,” Cayabyab said.

(We will continue our operations as long as we retrieve something. The duration of the operations also depends on the weather, water current, and the alert level of Taal Volcano.)

Meanwhile, PCG District Southern Tagalog commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said criticism surrounding the investigation of the missing sabungeros is normal. 

“That’s normal. Sabi nga nila, we cannot please everyone. Basta kaming PCG, katuwang ang Philippine National Police at Department of Justice, tuloy-tuloy lang namin gagawin yung trabaho namin professionally, diligently, and properly,” Tuvilla told reporters. 

(That’s normal. As they say, we cannot please everyone. For us in the PCG, together with the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice, we will continue doing our work professionally, diligently, and properly.)

Tuvilla said Cias Guard divers started their search and retrieval operations at 8 a.m. Sunday, but they did not find anything, so they will transfer their search northeast to another area. 

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

PGC divers have so far retrieved five sacks, of which two may contain bones. Another sack contained charred bones, while two others had stones.

“Halos magkakalapit [ang mga sakong nakuha]...halos 20 meters lang. Masinsin ang ating diving operation. We make a good search pattern just to make sure na wala tayong malalagpasan,” Cayabyab said.

(The sacks retrieved are relatively close to each other, almost 20 meters apart. Our diving operation is thorough. We follow a well-structured search pattern to ensure that nothing is overlooked.)

She said watercraft are still allowed in Taal Lake, but security personnel are deployed in identified locations of the investigation.

The search for the missing sabungero’s bodies was launched based on information provided by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias Totoy who revealed that they were already dead to their families.

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. — RF, GMA Integrated News