BATANGAS Rep. Vilma Santos has appealed to the public not to associate Taal Lake with the ongoing investigation into the case of over 100 missing “sabungeros” reportedly dumped in the area.
The veteran actress-politician said the controversy has already affected the livelihood of local fishermen, even though there is no confirmation yet that human remains were indeed found in the lake.
“Ang akin lang, siyempre nadadamay ang Taal Lake namin. Kahit paano, with this news—hindi naman natin alam kung confirmed or hindi,” Santos said in an interview with an entertainment website.
“Naapektuhan ang business ng mga mangingisda namin. Sana huwag naman. Kasi kahit paano naaapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng mga Batangueñong mangingisda,” she added.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources earlier assured the public that fish harvested from the lake remain safe to eat.
Batangas police on Thursday however said a sack containing suspected human bones was recovered during a retrieval operation around 10 meters from the lake’s shore. The contents are now undergoing forensic examination.
The latest discovery comes after whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, claimed that dozens of cockfighting aficionados who disappeared from 2021 to 2022 were abducted, killed, and dumped in the lake.