SOME of the bones retrieved from Taal Lake during the search for the missing sabungeros have been confirmed as human remains, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said Monday.
In a press briefing, Torre explained that the remains were found mixed with animal bones due to the area’s farming activity.
“Halo-halo ‘no kasi alam niyo naman may farm diyan sa lugar na ‘yan. May farm, ang Taal ay farming ‘yan. So andiyan na lahat ng makikita natin. May mga na-recover na mga animal remains. May human,” Torre said.
Authorities have so far recovered five sacks of suspected human bones from the lake since the operation began last week.
The search was launched following claims by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan that the missing sabungeros were dumped in the lake.
The remains have been turned over to the police for forensic examination, including DNA testing to match them with samples provided by families of the missing.
A total of 34 sabungeros have gone missing between 2021 and 2022, with reports indicating they were abducted due to alleged match-fixing.
Patidongan has accused businessman Atong Ang of masterminding the disappearances and also implicated actress Gretchen Barretto — both have denied the allegations.
