Missing sabungero search at Taal Lake temporarily suspended — DOJ

The search for the missing sabungeros at the Taal Lake was temporarily suspended after the Taal Volcano had three eruptions over the weekend, Justice spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said Monday.

In a message to reporters, Martinez said that the operations were suspended initially due to “detoriation of prevailing weather conditions,” which were exacerbated by the minor eruptions.

“Primarily, there is significantly poor underwater visibility. However, all operating units remain on standby and area prepared to resume operations once weather conditions improve,” he said.

On Sunday, the Taal Volcano had three minor eruptions — one phreatic and two phreatomagmatic events lasting from 1 to 4 minutes long. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also recorded 33 volcanic earthquakes at Taal Volcano on Sunday.

As of October 12, the Department of Justice said that around 887 human bones have been retrieved from Taal Lake.

The Taal Lake search began after whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped in the waters of the Taal Lake. —AOL, GMA Integrated News