A sack containing bones, which are still unconfirmed as human or animal, was recovered by authorities from Taal Lake on Thursday afternoon.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that the bones were discovered during an inspection by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which was conducting a survey of the lake’s surface. The remains will undergo DNA testing to check if they belong to any of the missing sabungeros.
The PCG previously announced that they would start a formal search for the missing sabungeros’ remains on Friday, provided the weather is favorable.
Mico Clavano, a spokesperson for the DOJ, expressed optimism that the bodies would be found, particularly if they were discarded in the lake during the disappearances of the sabungeros in 2021 and 2022.
Investigations continue to determine if the discovered remains are connected to the case of the missing sabungeros.
