October 22, 2025
MANILA – The search for the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) whose remains were reportedly dumped in Taal Lake resulted in the recovery of 981 bones, with 887 confirmed as human remains, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Included in the over 800 human bones are the three sets of human remains recovered at a cemetery.
READ: 34 missing ‘sabungero’ buried in Taal Lake – report
The 981 bones including the 887 human remains, were the result of the search operations conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from July 10 to October 12.
PCG conducted 60 operations, of which 35 operations yielded recoveries.
The bones were inside sacks that are attached to a sack of sand that serves as sinkers.
DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez, however, said conclusive DNA results are needed to confirm if any of the uncovered bones were from the missing sabungeros.
Authorities have already collected 33 reference DNA samples from families of the missing sabungeros to cross-match with the recovered bones.
Asked for any update on the cross-matching of DNA samples, Martinez said: “none yet.”
On Tuesday, the DOJ panel of prosecutors concluded the preliminary investigation on the criminal cases filed against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several others for murder, kidnapping, direct bribery, and tampering of passports.
Martinez said the panel will evaluate the counter-affidavits and the evidence at hand to determine if there is enough basis to file a case in court even while waiting for the DNA results.
“Law enforcement and the prosecution are doing their part to ensure that may ebidensya na magagamit to proceed to trial,” he said.
Last week, Ang submitted his counter-affidavit asking that the case be remanded to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to conduct an impartial investigation.