MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to start this week the underwater search for the remains of missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) believed to have been dumped in Taal Lake, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday.

Remulla told reporters that technical dives and bed mapping of the lake will proceed despite recent volcanic activity, with investigators targeting fishponds allegedly linked to persons of interest in the case.

“We’re asking them to start this week. We want to map it out and look at the condition so we can plan how to go about it,” Remulla said.

One of the suspects reportedly leased a fishpond, which authorities are considering as the “ground zero” for the lake searches.

“We think that the clues we got regarding the site may be accurate. There will be layers of sediments due to eruptions and murkiness in the waters, but that doesn’t stop us from looking into the lake as the resting place of many of those missing people,” he added.

The case gained renewed traction after alleged whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, claimed that the disappearances were ordered by a syndicate controlling the multi-billion-peso cockfighting industry, which surged during the pandemic due to its online format.

He alleged that a group called “Alpha” composed of around 20 influential businessmen and investors ran the operation and had control over all aspects of the illegal games.

Meanwhile, Remulla also confirmed having spoken to justices of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding an alleged lobbying group that includes a retired judge now allegedly acting as a fixer in court cases linked to the cockfighting industry.

“We had the initial contact this morning. They (SC) are investigating. They’re doing their job. They’re not being onion-skinned. In fact, they are very serious about what should be done to improve our justice system,” Remulla said.

He added that the DOJ continues to work closely with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, and emphasized that the Supreme Court remains a vital ally in strengthening the rule of law. (PNA)