JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said a human skull was retrieved from Taal Lake as divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continue to scan the lakebed in search of the remains of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) whose bodies were allegedly dumped at the lake.
“May nakuha na skull, bungo ng tao, at mga buto. Nandoon ‘yung ngipin. Hindi ko alam kung kasama ‘yung panga, ‘yung lower jaw, pero ‘yung upper teeth kasama dun (A skull, a human skull, and bones were recovered. It includes the teeth. I am not sure if there was a lower jaw, but it still had the upper teeth),” Remulla told reporters in a chance interview.
“Parang isang set lang ito. Isang tao, at ‘yun nga iniiksamen pa yan (It is just one set, it belongs to only one person. It is still being examined),” he said.
Remulla said the skull has been turned over to the PNP crime laboratory for forensic examination. He said it would also be subjected to DNA testing to determine if it belongs to one of the missing sabungeros, and matched to the samples taken from the relatives of the cockfighters for identification.
Suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie Patiidongan alias Totoy has told authorities that the sabungeros, who were abducted between 2021 and 2022, have been killed and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake.
PCG technical divers have been conducting search and retrieval operations in the lake, and have so far recovered five sacks containing what are believed to be human bones, including a hip bone and ribs. These are now being subjected to forensic examination and DNA testing.
Asked where the skull was specifically recovered in Taal Lake, Remulla said it was the area identified by Patidongan.
“Yung quadrant na hinahanapan. Hindi pa naman sila lumalabas sa apat na quadrant na itinakda na hanapan ng labi (It was in the quadrant where the divers were searching. They haven’t gone beyond the four quadrant areas designated in the search for the remains),” he said.
Remulla said the latest recovery bolsters the credibility of Patidongan.
“Makikita mo talaga na reliable ang sinasabi ng ating witness na dun nga tinatapon, na dun dinidispatsa ang mga labi ng mga taong pinapatay (This proves the credibility of our witness’ testimony that the remains of those killed were dumped in the area),” he said.
On Tuesday, Remulla said an additional witness will come out to bolster the testimony of Patidongan.
He said the civilian witness not only has direct knowledge about the disappearance of the sabungeros but also possesses concrete evidence that would corroborate existing accounts, especially that of Patidongan.
