Over three years after the mysterious disappearance of 34 cockfighting aficionados in the Philippines, suspects claim the victims were murdered and disposed of in a volcanic lake, prompting renewed investigations by authorities.
Investigation into Disappearance of Cockfighters Leads to Volcanic Lake Claims
Investigation into Disappearance of Cockfighters Leads to Volcanic Lake Claims
Authorities probe the chilling fate of 34 missing gamblers linked to illegal cockfighting as new allegations surface.
Filipino officials are deepening their investigation into a disturbing claim regarding the fate of 34 missing cockfighting gamblers, who were reported missing three years ago in Manila and nearby regions. The case has taken a sinister turn as a suspect in custody alleges that the men were strangled and thereafter thrown into Taal Lake, a body of water encircling an active volcano.
These men had been accused of match-fixing in the cockfighting scene, a scandal that escalated as the sport transitioned to livestreams during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once a controversial yet thriving sector, cockfighting in the Philippines operates as a multi-million dollar industry, raking in approximately 620 million pesos ($10.8 million) monthly in licensing revenues for the government, especially via so-called “e-sabong,” where bets are placed online in the absence of physical matches.
In light of the men's disappearance, the government’s oversight of livestreamed cockfights came into question, leading former president Rodrigo Duterte to ban online cockfighting altogether. However, traditional cockfighting remains legal in the archipelago.
Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla has emphasized the urgency of this investigation as he announced plans to deploy divers to search for potential human remains in Taal Lake. “We cannot overlook a case like this; it is essential we pursue the truth,” Remulla stated.
The backdrop of this grim narrative is particularly poignant given the legal status of gambling in the predominantly Catholic nation, where various forms have drawn criticism from religious leaders. Despite this, authorities have previously tackled rampant online gambling, including operations linked to human trafficking and scams, compelling President Ferdinand Marcos to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, commonly known as Pogos.
As this case develops, investigators are keen to identify more witnesses and uncover the truth behind the chilling claims related to the disappeared cockfighting community.
