Search continues in Taal for missing ‘sabungeros’ — DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed that the search operation for the missing “sabungeros” in Taal Lake will not stop even with government prosecutors’ recommendation to indict businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 others on multiple criminal charges. This was the assurance given by the DOJ to the families of the victims.

According to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, the release of the resolution does not mean a halt to the extensive search being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

He said that nothing will prevent the prosecution from continually seeking the assistance of the PCG and continuing dive operations to determine whether skeletal remains that may be helpful to the case can still be found.

Fadullon added that inclement weather or volcanic activity in Taal could temporarily suspend the PCG’s dive operations.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez provided an update on the search’s progress in Taal Lake, which has been divided into four quadrants for systematic searching.

He said the search and retrieval operations are “currently ongoing” in Quadrant 3, following the completion of operations in Quadrants 1 and 2 by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

The results of DNA examinations on any remains or evidence found will only be disclosed once finalized by the concerned agency, Martinez said.

Ang and the others were indicted after a panel of prosecutors found sufficient prima facie evidence to charge them in connection with the disappearance of several sabungeros.