Authorities have officially launched a search and retrieval operation for the remains of 34 missing sabungeros (cockfighters) believed to have been murdered and dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas.
The mission began at a fishpond leased by one of the suspects in Talisay — a site flagged by whistleblower Julie “Totoy/Dondon” Patidongan as the likely dumping ground.
On Thursday, July 10, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Department of Justice (DOJ) converged on the area to conduct the first underwater dive at 10 a.m.
The operation started with sea mapping and site assessment supported by technical divers from the PCG.
“Nakatanggap na po tayo ng direktiba sa DOJ kahapon at nagsimula na ng environmental assessment ang ating PCG kasama ang PNP at DOJ,” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said.
The operation marked the first actual dive in the search and recovery mission to locate those who disappeared between April 2021 to January 2022 in various cockfighting arenas and the victims’ homes in Laguna, Batangas, Manila, and Bulacan.
However, the mission is faced with numerous challenges. First, Taal Lake spans 234 square kilometers and has a depth of 198 meters, so finding human remains is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Cayabyad said that aside from deploying divers, the PCG will also use advance equipment to aid the operation.
“Ngayon po nasa stage na po tayo ng mobilization ng advanced equipment at tutulong ang ating advance technologies,” she said.
The PCG brought unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or drones in the initial search in hopes of making it easier for the divers to locate the remains.
The PNP-CIDG, on the other hand, is tasked to secure the vicinity of Taal Lake.
PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said police investigators are also doing ocular inspections in other potential burial sites in Laguna and other parts of Batangas.
The operation is expected to be augmented by Philippine Navy divers from the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM).
The PN will mobilize three teams of NAVSOCOM divers, each comprised of four Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land), who are capable of diving up to 94 meters below sea level, nearly half of the total depth of Taal Lake. (Martin Sadongdong)
