Over 50 skeletal remains found recovered from Taal Lake search — DOJ

A total of 57 human bones were recovered from Taal Lake in the past weeks as the search for the missing sabungeros continues, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the bones were retrieved on November 6, 17, and 18.

“So on November 6, we report that 25 pieces of alleged human skeletal remains were discovered and collected. On November 17, six pieces were then collected, and [on] November 18 , 26 [pieces were collected] for a total of 57 bones in the past weeks,” he said in a press briefing.

Several cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. The police said the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games.

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan earlier claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped in the waters of the Taal Lake.

The DOJ, however, said the DNA analysis performed on retrieved pieces of evidence has not yielded any positive matches so far.  Authorities have taken DNA samples out of 33 families.

On the other hand, the DOJ is currently reviewing the murder complaint filed against businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and other individuals in connection with the disappearance of the sabungeros. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News