401 skeletal remains recovered amid search for missing sabungeros — DOJ

Authorities have recovered a total of 401 pieces of skeletal remains from the Taal Lake during the search for the missing sabungeros, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday.

“From July 10, 2025 up to present, based on the records of the PNP Forensic Group, there are 401 pieces of skeletal remains that have been recovered from 17 different locations,” Justice Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz said during a briefing held by the House Committee on Human Rights.

Meanwhile, of the 401 remains, Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group Director Police Brigadier General Danilo Bacas said that 355 were consistent with human bones while 46 seemed to be of non-human origin. 

“Out of those po, nakapag generate po tayo, sa ating DNA na doon sa Taal po, tatlong human remains po. Isang babae at saka dalawang lalaki,” he said.

(Out of those, we were able to generate from our DNA in Taal, three human remains. One female and two males.)

The Taal Lake search began after whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake.

Authorities have recovered a human skull, what is believed to be a human hip bone, and human ribs.

Meanwhile, Bacas said that 163 remains have been subjected to DNA testing, starting July 10. 

However, according to Bacas, only 29 relatives of the 34 missing sabungeros have submitted their DNA samples. 

“As of the report namin, wala pa pong nag-match doon sa mga samples na nakuha namin sa mga relatives ng mga missing sabungeros po. Pero ongoing pa po ‘yung aming examination,” he said.

(As of our report, none have matched yet with the samples we obtained from the relatives of the missing cockfight enthusiasts. But our examination is still ongoing.)

Cruz explained that this is because some relatives of the sabungeros did not cooperate as some have already settled their cases.

“Meron pa naman pong mahigit tatlong daang samples pa ang hawak ng Forensic Group. Sana po pagtiwalaan niyo po kami na meron pong mararating ating imbestigasyon,” he said.

(There are still more than three hundred samples currently held by the Forensic Group. We hope you trust us that our investigation will yield results.)

Skin condition

Meanwhile, Cruz said that PCG divers are now suffering from medical conditions due to the condition of the Taal Lake.

“During our previous briefing, they reported that their technical divers are already suffering from medical conditions. That is skin irritation, ear infection, diarrhea, coughs, and colds due to the long-term exposure to the murky waters of Taal Lake,” Cruz said.

He said that PCG personnel are also facing threat from the venomous Taal snake, which he added that the country has no anti-venom for.

For their part, Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla reaffirmed their commitment to the search.

“The PCG is faithful in adherence to RA 9993, the formal request of the Secretary of Justice, and the directive of the commandant reiterates its unwavering commitment to the ongoing search and investigation,” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News