A haunting discovery was made beneath the murky depths of Taal Lake on Friday afternoon, shaking both locals and authorities alike.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the retrieval of two mysterious sacks submerged deep in the lake — each found at alarming depths and unusual proximity to the shoreline of Laurel town. According to PCG Southern Tagalog Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, the first sack was located 200 meters from the shore at 70 feet deep, while the second was found 100 meters away, resting at a depth of 50 feet.

But what exactly was inside these sacks? Authorities remain tight-lipped.

Commander Tuvilla declined to disclose the contents, citing the fragile condition of the bags and the need to preserve crucial evidence. “The bags were tattered,” he explained. “Visibility underwater was limited to about a meter. Our divers had to rely heavily on touch, but disturbing the sacks too much could cause them to fall apart.”

To prevent potential disintegration, the PCG used a fine mesh net to gently wrap and raise the sacks to the surface. “We handled them with extreme caution,” Tuvilla emphasized.

The search was anything but random.

The PCG’s operation was guided by chilling testimony from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known by the alias “Totoy.” Patidongan previously claimed that 34 missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were burned, stuffed into sacks, and dumped into the lake — a horrifying accusation that has sent ripples across the country.

Commander Tuvilla acknowledged the scale of the operation: “This lake is vast, but with the coordinates provided by the witness, we zeroed in on the suspected location. That’s where we began our search.”

The latest discovery adds another dark layer to the growing mystery surrounding the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros, a case that has remained unresolved for months. As the investigation deepens, the nation holds its breath, waiting to learn the true nature of what lies hidden beneath the waters of Taal.