July 30, 2025 – Taal, Batangas
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially resumed its search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake, as confirmed by Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, following days of suspension due to inclement weather brought by the southwest monsoon and recent typhoons.
According to Remulla, authorities are back on the ground (and in the water) to locate the remains of missing individuals linked to illegal cockfighting operations, widely referred to as the “missing sabungeros.”
He emphasized that the operation’s progress remains heavily dependent on weather conditions. “We cannot fully control the search operations, especially considering the safety of the technical divers involved,” Remulla said, highlighting the high-risk nature of underwater retrieval efforts.
The Justice Secretary also addressed the ongoing forensic examination of human remains previously recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard, stressing that DNA testing is a deliberate and complex process. “We cannot rush this. DNA results need to be carefully validated and compared with samples from the families of the missing,” he explained.
The goal is to determine possible matches between the remains and the relatives of the missing sabungeros, which could serve as key evidence in the DOJ’s case buildup.
Further strengthening the investigation, Remulla revealed that the DOJ has secured a new witness who could reinforce the testimony of the first whistleblower, alias “Totoy”—identified as Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan. The identity and safety of this new witness are being closely protected by authorities.
The continued search and fresh witness testimony are seen as critical steps toward justice in the high-profile case of the disappeared cockfighting aficionados, which has drawn national attention and raised serious questions about organized crime and law enforcement accountability.
