By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
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 “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 niya,” 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.”
The DOJ chief 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.
