Taal Lake Search and Retrieval Operations Halted Due to Weather
Search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake, including the use of tech divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), have been temporarily suspended due to unfavorable weather conditions, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Friday. The ongoing bad weather has forced authorities to pause efforts to locate missing sabungeros in the area.
“The weather does not permit us to carry a good search,” Remulla told reporters, emphasizing the challenges posed by current conditions. Earlier, the Department of Justice spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV explained that continuous rainfall and surface runoff from a nearby river have worsened the situation.
Underwater Visibility Severely Reduced
Clavano highlighted that elevated turbidity levels in the lake have significantly reduced underwater visibility. This condition makes diving operations unsafe and ineffective, leading to the temporary halt of all underwater search activities.
Considering these factors, Remulla pointed out that the entire search and retrieval process could span up to six months. “There are several conditions that we need to overcome,” he said, signaling the complexity and unpredictability of the ongoing mission.
Updates on Exhumed Bodies in Laurel, Batangas
Regarding the recently exhumed bodies discovered in a public cemetery in Laurel, Batangas, Remulla stated that authorities are still awaiting the police report. “We’re still trying to get the police report,” he said, expressing hope that a more detailed update on the situation would be available by next week.
For more news and updates on Taal Lake search and retrieval operations, visit Filipinokami.com.
