July 11, 2025
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the discovery of what appeared to be burned human bones inside a white sack near the Taal Lake site, where bodies of missing “sabungeros” (cockfighting enthusiasts) were believed to have been thrown.
“The Department of Justice, through Secretary Remulla, confirms that during an initial technical site assessment at Taal Lake on July 10, 2025, a team from the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), retrieved a white sack containing what appears to be burned human bones,” the DOJ said in a statement.
The sack was discovered while government authorities were conducting a preliminary inspection of the area.
“A white sack was visibly identified and recovered from the lakebed,” read the statement.
The DOJ said, the immediate next steps involve:
- Forensic Examination: The retrieved remains will undergo a formal forensic examination to certify if they are indeed human. This critical step will be conducted by either the PNP-CIDG or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
- DNA Testing: If confirmed to be human, DNA testing will be performed to determine if there is a match with any of the families of missing individuals.
“This discovery represents a potential breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into missing persons. While authorities are proceeding with caution and diligence, the find offers renewed hope for uncovering the truth and securing justice for the affected families,” the DOJ stated.