Navy, PCG divers eyed in Taal Lake search for missing ‘sabungeros’
Taal Lake, as seen from Tagaytay-Talisay Road, Batangas (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said it is eyeing to enlist the help of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy in verifying information that the 34 missing sabungeros, or cockfighting enthusiasts, are already dead and their remains dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.
This is after one of the six security guards accused of abducting the cockfighting enthusiasts revealed the information.
READ: 34 missing ‘sabungero’ buried in Taal Lake – report
According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, technical divers from the PCG and the Philippine Navy, specifically, might be needed to actually verify the claims.
“We’re still working on it, but we’re also trying to bring in the Coast Guard, including their diving team, as well as the Navy,” Remulla told reporters in a chance interview.
“Because this involves deep diving. It’s freshwater, so we really need technical divers to handle it properly,” he added.
READ: Technical divers eyed to look for missing sabungeros in Taal Lake
Remulla explained that divers would have to try and locate the remains to verify the authenticity of the information.
Remulla, however, said he was already able to talk to the security guard who bared the information even before the elections.
“Actually, I already know the witness being referred to, I’ve known them for a long time. I spoke with them even before the elections, so I have a very good idea of what he’s talking about,” said Remulla.
