The Philippine Department of Justice recently announced that it will initiate a DNA testing procedure for several corpses recently salvaged from Taal Lake, to determine if they are related to previously missing cockfighting practitioners. Some family members of the missing have voluntarily provided DNA samples to assist the police in comparison.
Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano stated that the DNA comparison is currently underway, and if no sample matches, the case will be transferred for murder investigation. Additionally, the Department of Justice has invited renowned forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun to assist in the investigation, and the remains will be sent to the laboratory or morgue for X-ray scanning and autopsy analysis.
Fortun pointed out that the salvaged remains appear to have been dismembered and stuffed into sacks, with some bodies possibly being only limbs or scattered bones. She emphasized that to avoid damaging key evidence, the opening of the body bags must be handled by professionals, and criticized some of the on-site search processes for procedural irregularities.
The investigation has been advanced partly because an informant provided crucial clues, assisting the Coast Guard in locating suspected body-dumping areas in Taal Lake. Two underwater suspicious points have been marked, and the search area is being expanded. Another informant has provided further clues, and law enforcement has synchronized search operations.
This case initially attracted social attention due to the mysterious disappearance of multiple cockfighting practitioners. As remains surface from Taal Lake, the case may lead to deeper layers of violence and criminal networks, and the Department of Justice has prioritized it as a key case, fully committed to the investigation.
