Authorities recovered more suspected human remains and personal belongings from Taal Lake as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts between 2020 and 2021.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo confirmed the discovery and said the bones are now being examined to determine whether they are human. “It will be subjected to tests to determine whether or not itong mga nakuha lately for the last two days na mga buto ay galing sa tao,” she explained.
Along with the remains, investigators also found clothing, footwear, and a cap—items believed to be linked to the missing sabungeros. Fajardo urged the families of the victims to come forward to help identify the recovered belongings. “Importante din na makipag-ugnayan sila sa atin para ma-identify nila,” she said, adding that relatives may voluntarily submit their DNA to help with crossmatching efforts.
The police noted that 34 individuals involved in cockfighting, or sabungeros, have gone missing since 2021. Investigators suspect they were abducted due to alleged match-fixing or cheating in the games.
Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a whistleblower and one of the accused, earlier claimed that the victims had been buried in Taal Lake. He also accused businessman Atong Ang of being the mastermind behind the disappearances and dragged actress Gretchen Barretto’s name into the case. Both Ang and Barretto have denied the allegations.
