A human skull and other skeletal remains have been discovered in Taal Lake, a potential breakthrough in the years-long search for dozens of missing sabungeros allegedly abducted and killed.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the grim discovery, stating that the remains included a skull with upper teeth intact. “We can see that the testimony of the witness is reliable; that the bodies of murdered sabungeros were dumped in the lake,” Remulla told The Philippine STAR.
He expressed optimism that DNA could be extracted from the skull to assist in identifying the victim, bringing long-awaited answers to families of the missing.
The search for the sabungeros, most of whom vanished between 2021 and 2022, has drawn public outcry and intensified pressure on authorities to resolve the high-profile case. Remulla also raised the possibility that Taal Lake may have been used as a dumping site during the Duterte administration’s drug war, in which thousands were killed. While official data places the number of deaths at over 6,200, human rights groups believe the real figure may be as high as 27,000.
Meanwhile, the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police revealed that more than a dozen officers implicated in the sabungeros’ disappearance had previously faced administrative cases. IAS inspector general Brigido Dulay clarified, however, that there is no established link between those prior cases and the ongoing investigation.
“We haven’t matched those records to the sabungeros’ case. But given their number and nature, we doubt the earlier complaints are directly connected,” Dulay said. All 12 officers are now facing administrative charges filed by the National Police Commission.
Dulay also urged caution in weighing whistleblower statements, particularly those made outside of formal affidavits. “As a lawyer, I believe it’s hard to rely on that kind of statement unless it’s turned into a formal affidavit,” he noted.
Among the key figures in the investigation is Dondon Patidongan, a former security chief who accused businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto of being involved in the abductions. He claimed Ang ordered the killings, alleging that Barretto had full knowledge of the operations. Both Ang and Barretto have denied the accusations and filed legal countermeasures.
Despite the denials, Remulla said formal charges against Ang and Barretto would proceed.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier underscored his administration’s commitment to delivering justice. In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, he declared: “Hahabulin at pananagutin natin ang mga utak at mga sangkot, sibilyan man o opisyal. Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas.”
