Missing sabungeros case: DOJ's Remulla says 'human ribs' found in Taal Lake

Department of Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla on July 17 said rescuers seemingly recovered human ribs from Taal Lake amid the search for the missing sabungeros who were allegedly dumped there.

Remulla told reporters that four sacks were recovered. Two of them have suspected human skeletal remains, while the other two were filled with sand, reinforcing the belief that these were used to weigh the other sacks down to the bottom of the lake.

According to him, preliminary examinations of the sacks' contents suggested that there were "human ribs."

"May nahanap today sa Taal Lake na human remains," GMA News quoted him as saying. "This time in the specific area, in the quadrant—kasi ano 'yan dini-divide by quadrant 'yan. In the specific quadrant pointed out to us as a site where people are being disposed of may nahanap na remains."

Remulla said the location was pinpointed by boatmen and was also identified by whistleblower Dondon Patidongan, alias "Totoy," a suspect in the missing sabungeros case.

He called the development a “positive identification” that Patidongan “knew what he was talking about.”

The perceived human ribs will undergo forensic examination, Remulla said.

The Philippine Coast Guard, meanwhile, announced that its remotely operated vehicle had spotted a large plastic bag in Taal Lake. However, it withheld further details following the DOJ's directive that it would be the sole agency authorized to release information regarding the missing sabungeros case.

A video footage captured by the ROV showed an object, which the PCG confirmed as a "large plastic bag" and not a sack. It refrained from revealing the bag's contents amid the DOJ directive.

According to Radyo Pilipinas, the PCG has completed its search and retrieval operation in the first quadrant of the designated 300-meter by 186-meter search area in Taal Lake. Its 49 technical divers have since begun operations in the second quadrant.

Only six of 91 bone fragments may be human

The PNP Forensic Group, meanwhile, said only six out of the 91 bone fragments they had recovered from Taal Lake may be human.

The Philippine STAR reported that Edmar dela Torre, officer-in-charge of the DNA laboratory division, said the six bones are now being prioritized for DNA testing.

Dela Torre's team is sorting the fragments to separate the suspected human remains from the non-human ones.

He, however, explained that the main challenge lies in the condition of the bones, which have reportedly been underwater for four years.

Extended exposure to water, particularly one with sulfur compounds like those found in Taal Lake, accelerates the deterioration of biological material.

“If that’s the case, it will be very difficult for us to extract a viable DNA profile,” Dela Torre said.

Nevertheless, the PNP Forensic Group will still examine the bones.

"We want to remain transparent to the public," Dela Torre said. "We’ll release our findings, whether or not we are able to extract DNA."

They're also doing a disaster victim identification process, which, aside from DNA testing, involves medico-legal examination and odontology, or the study of the structure of the teeth.

They're also examining other items recovered, like clothing and personal effects.

Dela Torre said the next step is to extract a DNA profile from the suspected human remains. This will allow authorities to begin matching it with DNA samples previously obtained from the families of the missing sabungeros.

“If we don’t generate a DNA profile," he said, "then there is nothing to compare with the relatives’ samples."

Dumping ground

Over 30 technical divers were deployed on July 11, a day after authorities found a sack containing allegedly burnt human bones in the areas in Laurel that Patidongan claimed to be a dumping ground for the missing sabungeros.

Patidongan tagged businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as among the persons allegedly behind the abductions of missing sabungeros. He accused them, as well as Eric Dela Rosa and Celso Salazar, of being the masterminds in the case of not just 34 but over 100 missing sabungeros.

The whistleblower, who said he has been working for Ang for 15 years as the chief of security of his farms and cockfight areas, alleged that Ang is the pit master's chairman. "Siya ang mastermind, at siya ang nag-uutos na talagang iligpit ang mga 'yan," he said in his interview with GMA's 24 Oras.

While he's one of the six accused in the case, Patidongan asserted that he was merely following orders from Ang.

He also claimed that Barretto was fully aware of Ang's operations in the cockfight arena. “One hundred percent na may kinalaman siya dahil lagi silang magkasama ni Mr. Atong Ang,” he said. 

In response, Ang filed cases against Patidongan and another whistleblower, Alan Bantiles, also known as "Brown," who had also tagged him in the case.

Denying the allegations in a July 3 press conference, Ang said, "Wala naman kaming history na pumapatay ng tao—paano mangyayari 'yan?" 

His camp, in a statement, called the accusations against him "entirely false, baseless, and malicious."

"He categorically and unequivocally denies any involvement in the alleged unlawful, heinous, and criminal acts that have recently been reported and linked to him," it read.

Barretto, through her legal counsel, also denied involvement in the case, noting she "has no relevant knowledge" about the disappearances.

"She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business (one of about 20 investors categorized as alpha members)," her lawyer said. "She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances. The proposition is so absurd, it is plain invention. Ms. Barretto regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor."

Remulla said Barretto and Ang would still be included in the list of suspects, and formal cases will be filed against them soon.

"Because they were named, then we will have to include them as suspects,” he said.