Bad weather halts search for missing sabungeros

MANILA, Philippines — Search and retrieval operations for the remains of missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros in Taal Lake have been suspended due to poor weather conditions worsened by the latest three volcano eruptions, according to the Department of Justice.

DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez cited a Philippine Coast Guard report that said all operations were halted due to “deterioration of prevailing weather conditions.”

“Primarily, there is significantly poor underwater visibility. However, all operating units remain on standby and are prepared to resume operations once weather conditions improve,” Martinez said.

On Oct. 26, Taal Volcano had three minor eruptions – one phreatic and two phreatomagmatic events lasting from one to four minutes – as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 33 volcanic earthquakes.

Authorities have recovered from Taal Lake 981 bones, as of Oct. 12. Of the number, at least 887 were identified as human.

Among the recovered fragments were three sets of human remains, consisting of 264 bones. Investigators have yet to obtain DNA samples that would lead to the identification of the remains.

The search for the remains of missing sabungeros in Taal Lake began after whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were kidnapped, killed and dumped in the lake.

The case of the missing sabungeros led to the filing of multiple murder and serious illegal detention complaints against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and 61 others.