Authorities hold surface search in Taal Lake for missing sabungeros

Metro Manila, Philippines - Authorities assessed and conducted a surface search in Taal Lake in Batangas in preparation for the diving operations to look for the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros on Thursday, July 10.

Personnel of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard joined the operation.

They began the assessment around 1 p.m. but were met with strong current and rains.

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the activity aimed to check the lake condition.

“Murky nga talaga siya. So, kahit mag-dive ‘yung technical divers natin sa lake, hindi pa rin talaga nila masyadong ma-map out ‘yung lakebed unless you have the technology such as the sonar ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle),” Clavano told reporters after the survey.

[Translation: It is murky. So, even if our technical divers dive into the lake, they cannot fully map out the lakebed unless you have the technology such as the sonar ROV.]

“As you go deep, lumalabo; maburak din ‘yung lugar [the water becomes unclear; the place is murky],” Coast Guard Southern Tagalog Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said.

The DOJ earlier reached out to the Japanese government to ask for equipment and assistance for the search.

Clavano said the search would be targeted.

“Kailangan natin i-focus ‘yung search natin du’n sa mas maliit na area kasi kung titignan natin 234 square kilometers po itong Taal Lake kaya kailangan po nating gawing mas focused ang search natin,” Clavano said.

[Translation: We need to focus our search in a smaller area because Taal Lake spans 234 square kilometers.]

The activity came after suspect-witness Julie Patidongan claimed the bodies of the missing cockfighters were dumped in Taal Lake.

Clavano said Patidongan’s claims were also corroborated by other informants.

From 2021 to 2022, 34 cockfight enthusiasts went missing after allegedly cheating in the games. Patidongan later claimed the number of victims may reach up to a hundred.

“May mga nagsasabi na meron pa tayong maaabutan [Some say we can still see something]. They indicated certain factors dahil [because] what we’re dealing with now is more freshwater,” Clavano said.

The diving operation is expected to begin on July 11.

Patidongan has tagged gaming businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as masterminds in the case, which the two personalities denied.