

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has assured the public of a transparent and legitimate process in its ongoing search and retrieval operations for the remains of cockfighting enthusiasts allegedly dumped in Taal Lake.
In an interview with DZRH on Sunday, PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Noime Cayabyab stressed that the agency is strictly following proper procedures in coordination with the Department of Justice's investigation. She firmly denied allegations of "planting bones" during the operation.
"Well kahapon nagkaroon tayo ulit ng diving operation, mayroon tayong naretrieve na dalawang sacks. So right after the retrieval, pagdating sa surface ng ating item ay automatic nating itinurnn over sa SOCO. Mayroon tayong kasamang media during the operation," said Cayabyab.
"Rest assured naman po ang diving operation ng Philippine Coaast Guard sa Taal Lake ay bahagi po ng lehitimong imbestigasyon. Tayo po ako sumusunod sa proseso at transparency po natin... itong mga ganitong speculations po, mariin po itong itinatanggi ng Philippine Coast Guard," she added
Cayabyab noted that their team has no intention of disrupting the legitimate process they are currently conducting, adding that their technical divers face risks on a daily basis.
As of 7:40 AM on Monday, July 14, the PCG has entered its fourth day of operations.
WATCH: Ikaapat na araw ng search at retrieval operations sa mga labi ng missing sabungeros, lalarga na sa Taal Lake | RH 15 @JecelleRicafort, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/Uj4gBBdxlR
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) July 13, 2025
Since Thursday, technical divers have recovered five sacks containing unidentified skeletal remains. These were immediately turned over to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for forensic examination to determine whether the remains belong to humans and if they are linked to the missing cockfighters.
According to Cayabyab, the dive locations are based on search patterns provided by the lead investigating agency.
When asked if any sacks were recovered near the area identified by whistleblower alias “Totoy” (now identified as Julie Patidongan), Cayabyab said that no remains were found in that specific location.
"Medyo malayo po doon sa fish pond. Kahapon po and the previous days, I think 176 meters away from the shoreline," said Cayabyab.