New Developments in Taal Lake Search and Retrieval Operation
Authorities have conducted the third technical diving operation in Taal Lake, Batangas, recovering two additional sacks believed to contain stones. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that this latest search and retrieval operation took place near the site where two sacks were found during the second dive the previous day.
The operation targeted an area about 20 meters from the earlier recovery spot off Laurel town. Divers identified a suspicious object Saturday morning and eventually retrieved the sacks from depths between 50 and 70 feet around 2 p.m.
PCG Southern Tagalog Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla explained, “What we got here had some sort of sinker, something to give it more weight.” He confirmed the sacks contained stones, not the missing persons suspected by local reports.
Challenges and Procedures in the Operation
The operation faced zero visibility underwater, making the search particularly difficult. Despite these conditions, the team followed strict protocols to carefully bring the sacks to the surface. Immediately afterward, they handed over the items to crime scene investigators for thorough examination.
About 30 personnel participated in Saturday’s dive, showing the scale of the ongoing operation. When asked about the potential use of robotic technology to improve the search and retrieval operation, Commodore Tuvilla said it depends on their assessment. He noted that human senses and intervention remain superior, especially in murky waters where identifying suspicious objects is critical.
Context and Background of the Search and Retrieval Operation
These sacks represent the fourth and fifth recovered in Taal Lake following leads provided by a whistleblower. Local sources reported that the missing cockfighting enthusiasts—locally called sabungeros—may have been killed, tied to sandbags, and submerged in the lake.
The ongoing search and retrieval operation aims to uncover the truth behind these disturbing claims and bring closure to families affected by the disappearance.
For more news and updates on Taal Lake search and retrieval operation, visit Filipinokami.com.
