Search yields more bones from Taal Lake — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said more bones were recovered from Taal Lake in Batangas as the search for the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts continued this week.

“As of July 30 (Wednesday), may na-recover po ulit,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing. 

(As of July 30, we have recovered more bones.) 

According to information included in photos provided by the PNP, the bones were recovered in the Laurel and Talisay areas.

“It will go the same process just like we did doon sa iba pang mga nauna na dadaan po ng proseso, DNA examination and cross-matching,” Fajardo said.

(It will go through the same process just like we did with the others, DNA examination and cross-matching.)

Aside from the bones, the remnants of clothes were also retrieved from the lake, according to the police.

A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts were reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing individuals were allegedly kidnapped  due to their possible involvement in match fixing or cheating in the cockfight matches.

One of the accused and whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan claimed the remains of the victims were disposed in Taal Lake.

He named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. — RF, GMA Integrated News