DNA of sabungeros’ kin analyzed for matches with remains at Taal

Personnel from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday (July 10, 2025) begin their search for the alleged remains of missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) that are believed to have been dumped in Taal Lake, Talisay, Batangas. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The DNA samples of at least 12 relatives of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) and possible human remains earlier retrieved from the Taal Lake are now up for scientific examination at the Forensic Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that they had already secured DNA samples from 12 relatives of the missing sabungeros. If these samples matched those of the recovered remains, then it would prove that the cockfighting enthusiasts are already dead.

“I was informed that 12 of the relatives of the missing sabungeros have had their DNA profiles taken so we are just waiting for the official result that will be issued by the Forensic Group if there is a match to the possible human remains that we obtained during the three to four days of retrieving operations in Taal Lake,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Monday.

“Well, if there is a positive match, it will be the most significant development of this case. [A] breakthrough because this will prove our earlier assumptions that the 34 missing sabungeros were indeed killed,” she added.

To date, the Philippine Coast Guard has said that divers have retrieved five sacks with undisclosed contents from Taal Lake.

Their search operations began last week and yielded four sacks. However, before the start of the operation, reports indicated that authorities also found a sack containing suspected charred human bones in the lakebed some 10 meters off the shore of Barangay Balakilong in Laurel town, Batangas.

Last month, alias Totoy, or the whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, claimed that the 34 missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake, Batangas.

Patidongan was one of the six security guards accused of abducting the cockfighting enthusiasts. The whistleblower further revealed that they used a tie wire to strangle the victims and then disposed of their bodies in the lake. /apl/abc