The Philippine Navy on Tuesday expressed its readiness to assist in the planned search operations for the remains of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros, believed to have been executed and dumped into Taal Lake.
Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said the elite Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) can be deployed once the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally requests assistance.
“We are still waiting for the official request or assistance from the Department of Justice,” Alcos told reporters in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.“The Naval Special Operations Command is an elite unit of the Philippine Navy. They can be dispatched anytime, anywhere,” he added.
According to Alcos, the Navy Seals’ technical diving teams could be mobilized depending on the initial site assessment.
“Teams are normally composed of four Navy Seals and four technical divers,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Navy Inspector General Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad explained that there are several methods to search for and recover targets underwater. One of the most effective tools they can use is an underwater drone or remotely operated vehicle (ROV), he added.
Trinidad said these drones help assess the underwater environment, checking for safety, water conditions, and identifying potential obstacles or hazards beneath the surface.
“There are numerous ways on how to recover or how to look for targets underwater itself. We could send underwater drones to check on the safety, how the water is ma-encounter sa ilalim. The moment we find what we have to recover — object or cadaver,” he told reporters.
The DOJ earlier announced that authorities are preparing to begin the search within the week.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said investigators are focusing on a specific area within the lake linked to one of the suspects.
“There is a suspect who holds a lease for a fishpond in the area. That is currently our ground zero,” Remulla said.
Remulla added that the government has sought technical assistance from Japan and is expecting a response soon.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also offered equipment and expertise for the underwater search. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is preparing to contribute forensic support.
The case involves 34 missing sabungeros, reported between 2021 and 2022. Police earlier noted that the disappearances are allegedly linked to game-fixing and cheating in cockfighting operations.
Whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan — also one of the accused — implicated businessman Atong Ang as the alleged mastermind and also mentioned actress Gretchen Barretto. Both have denied any involvement.
The search operation marks the latest effort in a long-running investigation that has drawn national attention and put pressure on law enforcement agencies to resolve the high-profile case.