Search for missing sabungeros in Taal Lake suspended anew

MANILA, Philippines — The search and retrieval operations for the missing sabungeros at Taal Lake were suspended again yesterday due to inclement weather, authorities said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said operations had been halted on Friday but briefly resumed over the weekend before being suspended anew as rains and strong winds made it unsafe for divers and search teams.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), through its spokesman Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV, said in a text message operations were suspended “due to poor visibility.”

The search and retrieval operations were prompted by the revelation of whistle-blower Julie Patidongan, among the accused in the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts, that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, strangled to death and dumped at Taal Lake.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that the government is looking into some 30 people who may be connected to the missing sabungeros case.

Two sacks containing human bones suspected to be of those of the missing sabungeros were retrieved on July 17 in Taal Lake.

These were retrieved from a location pinpointed by boatmen identified by Patidongan.

Cursory examination of the contents of the sacks, Remulla said, showed they were clearly human remains as they included “human ribs.”