Laurel, Batangas — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered two more sacks believed to be linked to the disappearance of 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros, during a third dive operation in Taal Lake on Saturday, 12 July.

The sacks, retrieved shortly after 2:00 PM during a meticulous hands-on search southeast of the Alitagtag-Laurel bridge, were found weighted with stones and what appeared to be cement. They were turned over to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) and other law enforcement units for forensic analysis, as part of the broader probe into the high-profile disappearance that has remained unresolved since 2021.

The discovery was confirmed by Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Commander of the PCG District Southern Tagalog, who noted the newly recovered sacks differed from the three earlier ones also found in the same area. “Technically, [they have the] same texture with the first three sacks but the description is different. This is the only set so far with cement,” Tuvilla said in an interview at the dive site in Laurel.

Around 8 a.m., the operation began with divers redeployed about 20 meters southeast from the area searched a day earlier. According to Tuvilla, underwater conditions had deteriorated significantly. "Visibility was extremely poor," he said. “Yesterday, you could still see clearly before reaching the bottom. Today, it dropped to about one meter upon descent. Practically zero visibility once you're at the lakebed.”

With sight virtually useless, divers relied on tactile identification, slowly groping along the lakebed to locate suspicious objects. Upon encountering anything unusual, they placed buoys and flotation markers to guide investigators from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIA), who are required to be present during any actual retrievals.

“Markings are crucial,” Tuvilla explained. “We use flotation devices and buoys to prevent divers from getting disoriented at the bottom and to relocate identified objects.” Each diver also used a reference line to ensure they could return to their entry point despite strong currents and limited visibility.

Underwater cameras were deployed to assist in navigating the murky terrain, although footage clarity was severely affected by suspended sediment. Tuvilla noted that the sacks recovered Saturday were significantly heavier than previous finds. “You saw in the footage how our personnel had to drag them using force because of the weight. We’re seeing embedded cement, stones, and mixed debris, possibly sand,” he said.

Divers also reportedly came across discarded feed sacks and footwear — such as rubber sandals and shoes — possibly connected to the victims. These items are undergoing further evaluation.

As of Saturday afternoon, a total of five sacks have been recovered in the search zone. All are being processed separately under strict PCG and SOCO protocols. More areas have been flagged as “suspicious,” but Tuvilla stressed that retrievals cannot proceed without proper coordination and the physical presence of investigative units.

“There are technicalities and safety considerations. Everything must be documented properly,” he said, reiterating that the Coast Guard’s actions are based strictly on instructions and intelligence from investigating agencies. The active search currently covers approximately 100 square meters of lake surface, with the dive plan constantly being refined based on terrain and new leads.

Despite the difficulties, Tuvilla reaffirmed the PCG’s commitment to supporting the investigation. “We will do everything we can to help ease the pain of the families of the missing. Your Coast Guard will not stop,” he said.

In response to the dangerous dive conditions, the PCG is set to deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to further assist in the ongoing search. The ROV is currently aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), one of the Coast Guard’s most advanced multi-role response vessels, and is expected to arrive at the dive site by Sunday, 13 July or early next week.

Tuvilla said there are 30 PCG divers involved in the retrieval operations for the missing sabungeros.

PCG spokesman Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the ROV will scan the lakebed, identify suspicious materials, and aid in recovery operations — minimizing the risks to technical divers. “This is a PCG-owned asset and we are expecting its arrival this Sunday or Monday. It will be promptly deployed at the dive site,” she said in a media briefing.

The ROV is equipped with floodlights and a manipulator arm capable of retrieving heavy underwater materials. It can operate at depths of up to 1,000 feet and will be controlled from a surface console with real-time video tracking.