DoST ready to help in sabungero search

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said Saturday that the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is ready to provide expertise and equipment to help locate the remains of the 34 missing sabungeros believed to have been dumped in Taal Lake.

Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, Solidum said the department may deploy marine monitoring instruments and coordinate with other scientists for the search effort.

“We have equipment that can help, but we still need to determine if our cameras can handle the murky conditions of Taal Lake,” he said.

The effort follows the claims of whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, who alleged that rogue police officers killed the sabungeros and dumped their bodies in the lake.

Solidum said it is still “possible” to recover skeletal remains.

“Bones don’t decompose easily. Flesh decays, but bones can stay preserved,” he explained in Filipino.

He added that whether the remains can be found intact will depend on the depth and chemical conditions at the site.

“If there’s no oxygen, decomposition slows down or stops entirely. That means the remains could be preserved, depending on where exactly they were dumped.”

Taal Lake reaches depths of over 100 meters, he noted, and the absence of light and oxygen at such depths could keep organic material from breaking down quickly.

The Philippine government has formally requested Japan’s technical assistance in the ongoing search.

Phl seeks Japan’s help

The Philippine government has asked Japan for technical aid, including advanced lakebed mapping technology, to help locate the remains of missing cockfighting enthusiasts allegedly executed and dumped in Taal Lake by rogue police officers.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Department of Justice (DoJ) has formally requested equipment such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to support the search.

“We need a scientific approach. We cannot leave it to chance,” Remulla said in a TV interview Friday.

He added that Patidongan, who has been in contact with him for two months, is a credible potential state witness and has hinted at the involvement of some politicians in the alleged killings.

Taal Lake’s vast size and depth — reaching 172 meters — pose major challenges to recovery efforts. The lake sits over an active volcano and spans more than 230 square kilometers.