MANILA — Authorities have discovered what are believed to be burned human remains inside a sack retrieved from Taal Lake, Batangas — potentially marking a breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday that the sack, which appeared to contain charred bone fragments, was recovered during a technical site assessment conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on July 10. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and took place off the municipality of Talisay, Batangas.

The site had been previously identified in witness testimonies as a suspected dumping ground for the bodies of the missing individuals.

“The Department of Justice, through Secretary Remulla, confirms that during an initial technical site assessment at Taal Lake on July 10, 2025, a team from the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), retrieved a white sack containing what appears to be burned human bones,” the DOJ said in a statement.

“A white sack was visibly identified and recovered from the lakebed,” the statement added.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, acting regional director of Police Regional Office 4A, stated that the location matched with testimony from a key witness, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” who allegedly transported the victims to the site prior to their disposal.

The discovery was made ahead of a planned full-scale search operation aimed at recovering the remains of several men who have been missing since 2021—part of a larger national scandal involving illegal gambling and alleged extrajudicial killings.

The DOJ said the recovered remains will undergo forensic analysis to confirm whether they are human. If confirmed, DNA testing will be performed to identify any matches with the families of the missing individuals.

“This discovery represents a potential breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into missing persons,” the DOJ said. “While authorities are proceeding with caution and diligence, the find offers renewed hope for uncovering the truth and securing justice for the affected families.”

The disappearance of dozens of sabungeros in recent years has gripped public attention in the Philippines and raised concerns over potential links to organized crime and rogue elements within law enforcement.

📷 Batangas Police