LAUREL, Batangas — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday denied allegations that it planted evidence during underwater search operations in Taal Lake for the remains of missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.

“This is a formal, coordinated operation. The PCG categorically denies that the sacks found were planted,” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemi Cayabyab said in an interview.

“Each dive is part of our commitment to truth and justice. Our divers risk their lives in every operation,” she added.

So far, five sacks have been recovered from the lakebed: two containing what appear to be human bones, one with charred remains, and two others filled with stones.

The sacks were discovered roughly 20 meters apart within the central diving (CD) zone, identified by witnesses and resource persons.

Despite it being a weekend, PCG divers resumed search operations Sunday, beginning the day with a Mass before heading into the water.

No new finds were reported as of press time.

The PCG clarified earlier that new sacks had been used to safely haul the original, fragile ones containing bones. It issued the clarification amid online speculation about evidence planting after images of the new sacks circulated on social media.

‘Jack-stay’ sweep

The sabungeros were reported missing between April 2021 and January 2022 in various areas, including Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal, and Metro Manila. In one case, a victim was taken from his home.

On Sunday, PCG divers continued using the “jack-stay” method — a linear sweep technique designed to ensure a comprehensive search of the lakebed.

Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Commander of the PCG District Southern Tagalog, said the team shifted the search 10 meters northeast of the CD zone during the latest sweep.

“Sometimes we can stay underwater for up to 84 minutes, but the murky conditions make identification and retrieval very hard,” Tuvilla said. “Visibility is very poor, especially with the silt stirred up by watercraft and strong currents.”

He noted the difficulty of the search, as the 198-meter-deep lake features a muddy bottom, steep slopes, depressions, and bottom hazards that can hide or bury objects. Strong currents can also sweep evidence away during ascent, requiring repeated dives in the same area.

“You’ll see there are really sacks down at the bottom. But the visibility is problematic, so it’s necessary for our divers to check carefully,” he said.

Bottom hazards

“There are bottom hazards we must consider — possible obstructions, uneven elevations, and silt buildup. Some objects get buried or drift deeper. That’s why we conduct follow-up sweeps in the same area,” Tuvilla added.

He appealed to the public to avoid spreading unfounded speculation, saying the PCG is committed to uncovering the truth.

“We’ve only recently started this operation, but we’re doing our work professionally and diligently,” he said. “Our only goal is to help deliver justice.”

Tuvilla underscored the vastness of the task: Taal Lake spans 234 square kilometers—nine times the size of Manila—and its complex underwater terrain remains central to the investigation.

“We’re working to cover every mapped-out search zone. Our divers are thorough, and we will not stop until all possible areas have been searched,” he said.