Gov’t ‘all in’ as DOJ eyes Taal Lake in missing sabungeros case

TALISAY, Batangas — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday conducted a technical site assessment in the waters off Talisay, Batangas, as part of efforts to locate the bodies of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros, believed to have been dumped in Taal Lake.

Reporters who drove to the area were briefed by DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano IV, who clarified that the activity was not yet a dive operation but a preliminary assessment of underwater conditions to determine the feasibility of launching a full search.

“This is a technical site assessment,” Clavano said. “We are here with the Philippine Coast Guard, the CIDG, and the BJMP to examine the water and the area where the search will be conducted.”

Clavano said authorities would be checking for visibility, water clarity, and depth. Initial information from witnesses, including Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, suggested the bodies were dumped in a portion of the lake with depths reaching 30 meters.

“This area was not identified by just one witness. Several credible informants have come forward to corroborate the location,” Clavano added. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”

The DOJ official stressed that while they could not guarantee success, the government believed the effort was worthwhile given the strength of the information received.

Taal Lake spans over 230 square kilometers, making it crucial to narrow down the search area. Clavano said the current assessment aimed to help officials focus on a smaller, more precise location for a possible retrieval operation.

When asked about the possible condition of the bodies after four years underwater, Clavano said they would rely on the Coast Guard’s expertise, particularly in dealing with remains from maritime tragedies.

Noting that since Taal is a freshwater lake, there was cautious optimism from some experts that retrieval might still be possible, as decomposition rates differ significantly from saltwater environments.

He said, “This is the first time we are dealing with a case where the victims have been missing for four years, but we are being advised by experts on what to expect and look for."

The DOJ official added that the government is now “all in” on the case after years of stalled investigations and that more informants have come forward since a key witness surfaced earlier this year.

“This is one of the biggest leads we’ve had,” Clavano said. “But it’s not the only one — and we won’t stop here.”