By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 19, 2025) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday is considering the deployment of divers to verify a suspected burial site claim of over 30 missing sabungeros in Taal Lake, Batangas.
The whistleblower, only identified as “Totoy,” made the revelation in a news report. He was said to have surfaced due to alleged threats to his family.
“Marahil kailangan ng technical divers diyan para ma-determine ang veracity ng information [dahil] it’s not easy to go into a lake to look for human remains,” said DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla in an interview.
Remulla, however, maintained the need to corroborate Totoy’s statements with the testimonies of other witnesses to determine if he could be placed under the witness protection program.
“Pinag-aaralan pa ang maraming bagay. Magke-case build-up pa. Hindi kami tumitigil. Mahirap magsalang ng kaso na hindi buo so binubuo pa ang lahat ng detalye,” he added.
The victims disappeared from April 2021 to January 2022.
Investigations indicate possible syndicate involvement after one of the victim’s family received an offer of P20 million to withdraw the case.
The DOJ currently handles seven cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention involving cockfight enthusiasts in the Manila Arena and e-sabong master agent, Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna.
Last May, the Court of Appeals revoked the ruling by a Manila Regional Trial Court to grant the bail of six security guards, who were involved in the Manila Arena case, after they found “evident proof” that they committed the crime.
The Philippine National Police identified the suspects as Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr.
They paid a bail of P3 million each.
“Hindi natin tinitigilan [‘yung kaso because] this is is a social responsibility for Filipinos to put a rest on any doubts about the people we love. Dapat ginagawa natin ng paraan para mahanap sila kasi ‘yung nawala na parang bula hindi maganda ‘yun,” said Remulla in his message to the victims’ families.
(With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)
(BR)
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