DOJ confirms recovery of human remains in Taal Lake

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

CONFIRMED. Justice officials led by Secretary Jesus Remulla (center) update reporters on developments in the search for the missing cockfight enthusiasts in Taal Lake, during a briefing at the Department of Justice in Manila on Thursday (July 17, 2025). Remulla confirmed that two of the four sacks recovered from the lake contained human remains. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday confirmed that two of the four sacks recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from Taal Lake contained human remains.

“Two sacks were found, I don’t know how many people,” Remulla told reporters, noting that cursory examination of the contents showed that they were clearly human remains and included “yung ribs ng tao (ribs of persons).”

The other sacks containing sand were believed to have been used as weights.

Remulla said the sacks from the lake were located with the help of boatmen in the area identified by whistleblower Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy.

“Tinuro ng mga bangkerong tinuro n’ya (The location was pointed by boatmen identified by Patidongan),” he said.

The whistleblower earlier claimed that at least 100 victims were dumped in the lake.

Remulla said the discovery of the two sacks of human remains is “a positive indication that he (Patidongan) knew what he was talking about.”

He said police investigators have also recovered three unclaimed cadavers buried at the town’s public cemetery allegedly belonging to individuals recovered in the lake in 2020.

The individuals are believed to be among those involved in e-sabong who were abducted in Lipa, Batangas.

“One of them was pregnant,” Remulla said, adding that one was identified by the basketball jersey it wore.

Meanwhile, Remulla said authorities would monitor seismic events in the volcano before deciding to proceed with the diving activities.