The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday night that what appears to be burned human bones were recovered from Taal Lake during a technical site assessment conducted on 10 July 2025.

In an official statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the discovery was made by a team from the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, while conducting what was initially planned as a routine preliminary inspection of the site.

“A white sack was visibly identified and recovered from the lakebed,” the DOJ said. “It contained what appears to be burned human remains," the statement said.

Remulla emphasized that the discovery, while significant, must be approached with care and scientific rigor. Authorities are now moving to confirm the nature and origin of the remains.

The DOJ outlined the next steps in the investigation: first, to formally certify whether the remains are human through forensic examination, and second, to conduct DNA testing to check for any matches with families of individuals who have been reported missing.

“This discovery could represent a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation,” Remulla said. “While we proceed with caution and diligence, it offers renewed hope that we are closer to uncovering the truth and securing justice for the families of the missing.”

The DOJ did not confirm whether the bones were related to the case of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros, but said authorities are not ruling out any possibilities as they await results from the forensic tests.