Acting under the direct orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy its technical divers in a full-scale search and retrieval operation at Taal Lake starting 11 July 2025, weather conditions permitting.
This mission targets the recovery of remains of missing “sabungeros” reportedly dumped into the lake, a chilling claim that demands decisive action.
Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, Commandant of the PCG, responded immediately to a formal request from Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on 09 July 2025, greenlighting the full mobilization of specialized Coast Guard units.
The PCG’s operational backbone, including elite support teams—will reinforce the DOJ’s escalating probe.
Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, has been tasked with complete tactical and operational command. He will ensure aggressive execution while safeguarding personnel and minimizing ecological disruption.
Admiral Gavan has further ordered the Coast Guard Fleet (CGFLEET) and Coast Guard Aviation Command (CGAvCom) to deploy high-tech search assets, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to push the operation’s reach and precision.
The unresolved disappearance of the “sabungeros,” tied to illicit gambling networks, has stirred public outrage. Mounting evidence suggests the bodies were clandestinely dumped in Taal Lake, turning this operation into a national priority and a quest for justice.
