DENR needed in Taal Lake ‘exploratory dives’ for missing ‘sabungeros’
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will tap the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Board (MGB) for its “exploratory dives” in Taal Lake to search for the missing sabungeros’ remains, Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. —PHOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL PAGE OF JESUS CRISPIN “BOYING” REMULLA
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will tap the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Board (MGB) for its “exploratory dives” in Taal Lake to search for the missing sabungeros’ remains, Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday.
Remulla made the pronouncement after baring to reporters that they are now only waiting for the necessary equipment before finally conducting an “exploratory dive” into the Taal Lake in Batangas.
According to Remulla, the DOJ will also tap the help of the MGB as it owns a “ground penetrating sonar” that could be used to assist in mapping out the lakebed of Taal Lake.
“For the first exploratory dive, we have to map out everything, we have to make a schedule, and we’re still waiting for some equipment which I think will also be lent to us by the Japanese government,” said Remulla in a chance interview.
“But we’ll also be in conference with the DENR because the MGB is also in possession of a ground penetrating sonar that we might be able to use,” he added.
According to Remulla, the DOJ will ask the MGB to join its “composite team” in charge of looking for the missing sabungeros who were allegedly thrown into Taal Lake.
“Because this is a whole of government, it’s a very serious matter as it involves the lives of many Filipinos,” said Remulla.
Apart from the MGB, the composite team will be composed of the Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.
It was on Monday when Remulla said that the search for the sabungeros may begin within the week.
READ: 34 missing ‘sabungero’ buried in Taal Lake – report
A “fishpond lease,” allegedly held by one of the suspects in the case, will be used as the starting point or ground zero for the search.
This developed after Julie “Dondon” Patidongan (alias “Totoy”) claimed that the lost sabungeros were already dead and buried in Taal Lake./coa