Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Philippine National Police Forensic Group said it had confirmed that around 1,400 of the bones retrieved from Taal Lake were human, as investigations into the missing sabungeros continued.
Forensic Group director Pierre Carpio reported that the figure came after extensive examinations conducted on the recovered skeletal remains.
He explained that each specimen had undergone a series of scientific procedures, including medico legal, anthropological, radiographic, dental, and DNA analyses to establish whether they were of human origin.
Authorities noted that the examination process was still ongoing, indicating that more findings could emerge as tests continued.
Carpio said investigators had not yet established if any of the DNA profiles extracted from the remains matched those of individuals reported missing in connection with the sabungeros case.
He added that confirming identities would require further comparison with reference samples from the families of the victims.
Earlier, the Forensic Group disclosed that roughly 2,000 bone fragments had been subjected to examination as part of the broader probe.
The case stemmed from the reported disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts between 2021 and 2022, with authorities looking into possible abduction and killing linked to the incidents.